Serum levels of amino terminal of probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-Pro BNP) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

BackgroundThe amino terminal fragment of proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has become commonly utilized as a sensitive marker for cardiac dysfunction in adults. However, its value in children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been widely investigated. We aimed to evaluate the serum levels of NT-proBNP as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of left ventricular dysfunction in children with DCM.Patients and methodsThe level of NT-proBNP was measured in 20 critically ill children with DCM and in 20 age-matched control children.ResultsThere was highly significant increase in serum NT-proBNP level in patients with DCM as compared with the control group. At cutoff level of 1500 pg/ml, the sensitivity of NT-proBNP as a diagnostic biomarker in children with DCM was 85% and the specificity was 100%. There were significant positive correlations between serum NT-proBNP level and left ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters, whereas significant negative correlations were present between serum NT-proBNP level and ejection fraction and fraction shortening in children with DCM.ConclusionSerum NT-proBNP levels could play a role as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker (with high sensitivity and specificity) of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in children with DCM.