Can early B-type natriuretic peptide assays predict symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in extremely low birth weight infants?

BACKGROUND

Earlier and more accurate identification of a high-risk group of preterm infants that are likely to develop a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) would allow specific targeting of early treatment and thus possibly minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with a PDA in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the predictability of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for early targeted treatment of hsPDA in ELBW infants.

METHODS

73 ELBW infants that underwent echocardiographic evaluation and plasma BNP measurement after birth were enrolled. 31 infants developed hsPDA (HsPDA group) and 42 infants did not develop hsPDA (nPDA group).

RESULTS

BNP levels of the HsPDA group were significantly higher than those of the nPDA group at 24 h of age (921 [318-2,133] vs. 152 [91-450] pg/ml) but not different at 12 h of age. BNP levels at 24 h of age were significantly correlated with the magnitudes of the ductal shunt but not at 12 h of age. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of BNP levels for prediction of hsPDA at 24 h of age was 0.830. At the cutoff BNP levels of 200 and 900 pg/ml at 24 h of age, sensitivity was 83.9 and 54.8% and specificity was 61.9 and 95.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

BNP levels at 24 h of age can be used as a guide for early targeted treatment of hsPDA and avoid the unnecessary use of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in ELBW infants.