title: N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide levels in children with allergic rhinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Persistent upper airway obstruction may lead to increased pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations and PAP values in children with allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six patients with allergic rhinitis and 22 healthy children were prospectively enrolled in this study. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured at first admission and after treatment. Simultaneously, echocardiography was done to assess pulmonary arterial hypertension, and rhinitis symptom scores were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age of the study group was 9.0 (5.0‒17.0) years; 26 were female. PAP was found to be normal in all the patients. There was a negative correlation between age and NT-proBNP levels (r = -0.452, P < 0.01). Nasal blockage levels affected NT-proBNP levels mildly (P = 0.067). No significant difference between before and after nasal steroid treatment was observed in NT-proBNP levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that NT-proBNP level and PAP may not be affected in children with allergic rhinitis, and primarily this influence may be associated with the severity of nasal obstruction.
authors: Department of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Hasibe
authors: H
authors: Artaç
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Hüsamettin
authors: H
authors: Vatansev
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Derya
authors: D
authors: Çimen
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Derya
authors: D
authors: Arslan
authors: Department of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Kaya
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Karabük University, Karabük, Turkey.
authors: Seyit Ali
authors: SA
authors: Kayiş
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Bülent
authors: B
authors: Oran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide; cardiac evaluation; nasal obstruction; pulmonary arterial pressure