N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants.

We performed an observational pilot study of plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in premature infants with a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 4 weeks of age and after 1 month of conventional therapy. Thirty-four premature infants born before 34 weeks' gestational age without cardiac or infectious diseases were included. Serum NT-pro-BNP was measured in all neonates at 4 weeks of age. In infants with the diagnosis of BPD (n = 11), measurements were repeated at 6 and 8 weeks of age under conventional treatment. Specific clinical characteristics were collected prospectively. Baseline NT-pro-BNP concentrations were high in healthy premature infants compared with previously reported healthy neonates, and significantly higher in those who developed BPD. There was a significant correlation between concentrations of NT-pro-BNP and severity of respiratory distress as assessed by several methods. The concentrations of NT-pro-BNP decreased significantly over time in BPD infants. Premature infants have high concentrations of NT-pro-BNP at 1 month of age. NT-pro-BNP concentrations are significantly higher in BPD infants and decline over time. NT-pro-BNP concentrations correlate with clinical severity of respiratory disease.