Galectin-3 as a cardiac biomarker has proven to be a significant prognostic tool in adults. However, it has not yet been established in the pediatric population as a biomarker in daily clinical practice. The aim of the study was to summarize the current knowledge on galectin-3 as a biomarker in children with cardiac conditions by reviewing the literature. Bibliographic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched, and consequently twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Supplemental handsearching of references delivered one additional source. These prospective studies concerning galectin-3 as a cardiac biomarker present analyses performed in cohorts composed of healthy children and children with cardiovascular diseases. The results, despite being based on small cohort studies, inform that galectin-3 could serve as a potential biomarker in cardiovascular risk stratification in children with heart failure, arrhythmia, Kawasaki disease or in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The evidence for the usefulness of galectin-3 in the assessment of such pathologies as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, coarctation of the aorta, functionally univentricular heart or tetralogy of Fallot were not completely confirmed. Galectin-3 seems to be a promising biomarker; however, there is a need for further research to establish its use in daily clinical practice.

Marfan’s syndrome (MFS) is a systemic, autosomal dominant connective tissue disease. It is caused mainly by the mutations in the FBN1 gene and is connected with extracellular matrix protein fibrillin-1. The incidence is about 2-3 per 10 000. About 70-75% of cases are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion and the remaining are de-novo mutations. The most common findings involve cardiovascular, ocular and skeletal systems. The cardinal manifestations typically involving MFS are aortic root aneurysm/dissection and ectopia lentis. The other common manifestations are mitral valve prolapse, proximal aortic aneurysm, dolichocephaly, pectus carinatum deformity, enophthalmos, scoliosis, long-bone overgrowth. The manifestation in neonatal Marfan syndrome, in contrast to classical Marfan syndrome, is a rapidly progressing multi-valvular cardiac disease. The death connected with congestive heart failure happens mainly within the first year of life. Prognostic factors for life expectancy of patients with Marfan syndrome depend on the type of the MFS and in classical MFS – depend on the rate of aortic root dilatation, which leads to dissection or rupture. Pharmacological management includes beta blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor as a preventive treatment to slow aortic root dilation.