Abstract
Plasma concentrations of human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were measered in pediatric surgical patients in various conditions. Plasma concentrations of ANP were high in neonates and decreased progressively until the age of 9 years. The possible dynamics of ANP in children under surgery were examined. A significant positive correlation was seen between the plasma levels of ANP and the volume changes of intravenous fluid, but no correlation was seen between the plasma levels of ANP and the degrees of surgical stress. Plasma concentrations of ANP were higher in children with disfunction of the liver, the kidney, or the heart than in healthy children. The prognosis was poor in a patient with high plasma ANP level and low urine output. The plasma ANP responds well to the hemodynamic changes.
