N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Useful Diagnostic Marker of Acute Kawasaki Disease in Children

Factors affecting N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide elevation in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease

“…The TNF‐α and sTNFR levels were significantly elevated and correlated; sTNFR were well correlated with NT‐proBNP in the acute phase of KD in the present study. Correlations were analyzed using log‐transformed NT‐proBNP, because the raw NT‐proBNP data do not have a normal distribution, but the log‐transformed data do . Log‐transformed NT‐proBNP had better correlations with TNF‐α, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 than did the raw NT‐proBNP data.…”

Cardiac function on 3‐D speckle tracking imaging and cytokines in Kawasaki disease

“…NT‐proBNP elevation in patients with acute KD started to be reported from 2000 . This elevation was initially reported to be related to cardiac dysfunction, and recently has been reported as a diagnostic marker, predictor of CAL, or predictor of resistance to treatment . Elevation in NT‐proBNP is generally caused by cardiac dysfunction, but may also result from the action of inflammatory cytokines according to reports from the fields of immunology and cardiac transplantation …”

Cystatin C and body surface area are major determinants of the ratio of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to brain natriuretic peptide levels in children

“…Current results underline the importance of standardizing NT by age or body size and assessing renal function in the assessment of both hormones in children. The reference value for NT in children decreases with age [33]. For the evaluation of NT in children, use of a Z-value of NT [33] is an important option for standardizing NT.…”

“…The reference value for NT in children decreases with age [33]. For the evaluation of NT in children, use of a Z-value of NT [33] is an important option for standardizing NT. When the NT value is within the normal range, it indicates that the cardiorenal system is functioning normally.…”