Key result
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels at a cutoff of >7690 pg/ml demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 76% for diagnosing congenital heart disease in children.
Why the study?
The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value and correlation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels with hemodynamic, ECG, and echocardiographic data in pediatric congenital heart disease.
Does plasma BNP level serve as a reliable diagnostic marker and correlate with clinical severity in children with congenital heart disease?
Observational (n=60)
No
Does plasma BNP level serve as a reliable diagnostic marker and correlate with clinical severity in children with congenital heart disease?
Plasma BNP is a highly sensitive diagnostic marker that correlates with clinical severity and reduced ejection fraction in children with congenital heart disease.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support BNP for CHD diagnosis in children; extends low-certainty evidence from 101 studies but leaves open routine use pending validation.
Background and aim The prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) is 3.5–17.5 per 1000 live births. Natriuretic peptides are biologically active molecules secreted by the ventricular musculature in response to volume or pressure overload, causing vasodilation, natriuresis, and diuresis, which leads to improved myocardial relaxation. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value and possible correlation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels with CHD and each of the hemodynamic, ECG, and echocardiographic data in pediatric CHD. Patients and methods This is an observational prospective study carried out on 60 children (40 cases with CHD and 20 controls) with ages between 2 months to 10 years, admitted at Pediatrics Department Al-Azhar University hospital (Assiut) from November 1, 2021 to November 30, 2023. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, vital signs, and systemic examination were performed on all participants, as well as chest radiograph, ECG, echocardiography, laboratory investigation, and assay of plasma level of BNP. Results Anthropometric measurements were significantly lower in cases of CHD compared to controls ( P <0.001). BNP was statistically significantly higher in cases of CHD than in the control group and showed a significant positive correlation with respiratory rate and modified Ross grading and strong negative correlations with age, systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, and ejection fraction. BNP at the cutoff point (>7690 pg/ml) showed a sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 76%. Conclusion Elevated plasma BNP levels should be considered a significant diagnostic marker in children with CHD, particularly those who developed congestive heart failure; however, BNP proved to be a nonsignificant prognostic factor.
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El-Masry et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Congenital heart disease (n=60). Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Diagnostic value of plasma BNP levels. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels at a cutoff of >7690 pg/ml demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 76% for diagnosing congenital heart disease in children.
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