title: B-type and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides are equally useful in assessing patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NTproBNP) have been shown to correlate with the size of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. We investigated whether BNP or NTproBNP was more closely correlated with PDA size.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective observational study included preterm infants born <32 weeks' gestation who had an echocardiogram performed within the first four days of life. Blood samples were taken simultaneously for BNP and NTproBNP measurements prior to echocardiographic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 60 infants recruited, 58 had complete data sets. The cohort's mean and standard deviation (SD) gestational age was 27(+3) (2(+2)) weeks, the mean (SD) birthweight was 1032 (315) grams, and 46 (79.3%) infants had a PDA with a mean (SD) diameter of 3.2 (0.9) mm. Median and interquartile range (IQR) BNP levels were 486.5 (219-1316) pg/mL for infants with a PDA and 190 (95.5-514.5) pg/mL for infants without a PDA. Median (IQR) NTproBNP levels were 10 858.5 (6319-42 108) pg/mL for infants with a PDA and 7488 (3363-14 227.5) pg/mL for infants without a PDA. Both BNP (R = 0.35, p = 0.0066) and NTproBNP (R = 0.31, p = 0.018) were significantly correlated with PDA size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BNP and NTproBNP are similarly useful for assessing PDA size in preterm infants.
authors.affiliation: Mercy Hospital for Women, Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: Katelyn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.forename: Sandra M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Drew
authors.forename: Charles P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Barfield
mesh_terms: D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
keywords: B-type natriuretic peptide; N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; newborn; patent ductus arteriosus; preterm infant