Usefulness of NT-proBNP in pediatric sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Sleep apnea syndrome has been shown to have a profound impact on the cardiovascular system in children. The serous value of NT-proBNP as a biomarker, ECG, and chest radiography were investigated to assess the cardiac function preoperatively. The subjects included 28 cases undergoing surgery for the disease. In one of the 28, an abnormally-high value of NT-proBNP was identified although abnormalities on ECG and radiography were not found in any case. In echocardiography for the one patient with high NT-proBNP values, two pediatricians mentioned normal or abnormal cardiac function, respectively. In eight of the 28, the serous value of NT-proBNP increased postoperatively. NT-proBNP is reported to be a stable and sensitive biomarker, which may become a useful tool for assessing the cardiac function in the disease. However, we need to consider the upper limitation of the normal values in each age interval, increase of the value due to the non-cardiac acute disease and time for taking a blood sample because of 1-2 hours of resolution time in the body.