OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the range of fetal NT-proBNP values in normal pregnancy between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation. METHOD: NT-proBNP was measured in 56 fetal blood samples. RESULTS: Mean (+ or - 2 SD) NT-proBNP concentration was 1998 (242-3754) ng/L; a significant decline occurred with advancing gestational age (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Gestational age has to be taken in to consideration in the assessment of NT-proBNP. Our data may be used as reference values in fetal and neonatal medicine. Copyright 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the range of fetal NT-proBNP values in normal pregnancy between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation. METHOD: NT-proBNP was measured in 56 fetal blood samples. RESULTS: Mean (+ or - 2 SD) NT-proBNP concentration was 1998 (242-3754) ng/L; a significant decline occurred with advancing gestational age (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Gestational age has to be taken in to consideration in the assessment of NT-proBNP. Our data may be used as reference values in fetal and neonatal medicine. Copyright 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.