title: Evaluation of NT-proBNP in children with heart failure younger than 3 years old.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart failure (HF) is characterized by neuroendocrine activation. The cardiac natriuretic hormones, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), together with their related pro-peptides (proANP and proBNP) represent a group of peptide hormones produced by the heart. A normal NT-proBNP level has a high negative predictive value for heart failure. The use of NT-proBNP testing is helpful in diagnosing acute HF in the emergency care setting, allowing an early and optimal treatment. The purpose of this study is to assess the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in heart failure in children younger than 3 years old and to establish whether it correlates with the NYHA/Ross functional class and left ventricle systolic function.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 24 consecutive children with HF due to congenital heart diseases and dilated cardiomyopathy. The serum levels of NT-proBNP were measured, all patients underwent echocardiography and left ventricle ejection fraction was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest median value of NT-proBNP was recorded in patients with cyanotic heart diseases (248.0 fmol/mL), p = 0.610. NT-proBNP had a negative correlation with the ejection fraction of the left ventricle: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was -0.165.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NT-proBNP levels correlate with the severity of HF in infants and small children younger than 3 years old with heart failure due to congenital heart diseases and dilated cardiomyopathy.
authors.affiliation: "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Department of Pediatrics, IIIrd Pediatric Clinic.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iacob
authors.affiliation: "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Department of Pediatrics, IIIrd Pediatric Clinic.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butnariu
authors.affiliation: "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics.
authors.forename: Daniel-Corneliu
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Leucuţa
authors.affiliation: "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Department of Immunology.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Samaşca
authors.affiliation: "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Department of Immunology.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deleanu
authors.affiliation: "Babeş-Bolyai" University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
authors.forename: Iulia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lupan
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000097:blood; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013318:Stroke Volume
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
keywords: NT-proBNP; congenital heart diseases; dilated cardiomyopathy; left ventricle ejection fraction; serum levels