The clinical value of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in septic children

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with sepsis. Methods A total of 162 patients was enrolled with consecutive pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions during the study period of Jan 1st, 2013 to June 30th, 2013 at Hunan Children's Hospital. The 162 septic patients were divided into sepsis group and severe sepsis group, sepsis group and septic shock group, and survival group and death group. NT-proBNP was tested in the first and third day after 162 septic patients in hospital . Pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) score was assessed in all patients. NT-proBNP was compared between groups. The change of NT-proBNP was summarized between groups. The relationship between NT-proBNP and PCIS was analyzed. Results ⑴ The plasma NT-proBNP level of the first day after admission in the severe sepsis group and septic shock group was higher than sepsis group, the PCIS in the sepsis group was higher than severe sepsis group and septic shock group, with significant difference (P<0.05). ⑵ The plasma NT-proBNP level of the first day after admission in the death group was higher than the survival group, the PCIS in the death was lower than the survivor group, with significant difference (P<0.05). In the death group, the plasma NT-proBNP level of the third day after admission was higher than the NT-proBNP of the first day after admission(P=0.037); contrarily, the plasma NT-proBNP level of the third day after admission was lower than the NT-proBNP of the first day after admission in the survival group (P=0.023). Conclusions NT-proBNP could be used to assess the condition of septic patients, and dynamic test NT-proBNP can help to predict septic patient's prognosis. Key words: Natriuretic peptide, brain/blood; Sepsis; Child; Prognosis