Am J Perinatol 2022; 39(10): 1027-1032
DOI: 10.1055/a-1692-1039
SMFM Fellowship Series Article

The Trend of Urinary N Terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants during the Neonatal Period

1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
,
Henrietta S. Bada
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
,
Maritza Torres
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
,
Melvin Almodovar
3   Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
,
Mina Hanna
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
› Author Affiliations

Funding The project described was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, UL1TR000117, the Dean of the College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, and Children's Miracle Network (CMN) grant awarded to Kentucky Children's Hospital; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
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Abstract

Objective N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a biomarker of interest in many cardiopulmonary diseases in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) Infants. However, there is a gap in knowledge about the trend of ELBW infant's urinary NT-proBNP during the neonatal period.

Aim To determine the trend of urinary NT-proBNP during the first 4 weeks of life of an ELBW infant.

Study Design We analyzed prospectively enrolled 87 ELBW infants. Urinary NT-proBNP to creatinine ratios were measured on days 1 to 7, 14, and 28 of life. We plotted each study point's means to determine the trend of urinary NT-proBNP over the entire neonatal period. Data were analyzed using the Friedman analysis of variance for comparative analysis of study points.

Results Urinary NT-proBNP/creatinine ratios were significantly elevated on days 1 to 7 (mean 2,452, ± 1,518) than day 14 (mean 747, ± 176), and day 28 (mean 149, ± 54), p = 0.001. Overall, urinary NT-proBNP levels were highest during days 1 to 3 (mean 3,232, ± 1,255) and lowest on day 28 (mean 149, ± 54).

Conclusion Urinary NT-proBNP levels are higher during the first week in ELBW infants with a downward trend during the neonatal period, the lowest values at 4 weeks postnatal age. More studies are required to determine the clinical utility of this trend during and beyond the neonatal period.

Key Points

  • NT-proBNP is a biomarker for monitoring cardiac disease in premature infants.

  • The trend of urinary NT-proBNP is unknown in premature infants.

  • A trend of urinary NT-proBNP was determined during the first 4 weeks in premature infants.



Publication History

Received: 14 September 2021

Accepted: 01 November 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
09 November 2021

Article published online:
07 December 2021

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