Am J Perinatol 2010; 27(5): 381-386
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243312
© Thieme Medical Publishers

N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide as a Marker of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants

Leon Joseph1 , Amiram Nir2 , Cathy Hammerman3 , Shmuel Goldberg1 , Efrat Ben Shalom1 , Elie Picard1
  • 1Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem and the Hebrew University, School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
  • 2Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem and the Hebrew University, School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
  • 3Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem and the Hebrew University, School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
11 December 2009 (online)

ABSTRACT

We performed an observational pilot study of plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in premature infants with a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 4 weeks of age and after 1 month of conventional therapy. Thirty-four premature infants born before 34 weeks' gestational age without cardiac or infectious diseases were included. Serum NT-pro-BNP was measured in all neonates at 4 weeks of age. In infants with the diagnosis of BPD (n = 11), measurements were repeated at 6 and 8 weeks of age under conventional treatment. Specific clinical characteristics were collected prospectively. Baseline NT-pro-BNP concentrations were high in healthy premature infants compared with previously reported healthy neonates, and significantly higher in those who developed BPD. There was a significant correlation between concentrations of NT-pro-BNP and severity of respiratory distress as assessed by several methods. The concentrations of NT-pro-BNP decreased significantly over time in BPD infants. Premature infants have high concentrations of NT-pro-BNP at 1 month of age. NT-pro-BNP concentrations are significantly higher in BPD infants and decline over time. NT-pro-BNP concentrations correlate with clinical severity of respiratory disease.

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Elie PicardM.D. 

Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center

POB 3235, Jerusalem 91031, Israel

Email: picard@szmc.org.il