DAILY ECG MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF BLOOD NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE IN DIAGNOSTICS OF SOMATOFORM AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS
The feasibility of using daily ECG monitoring (ECG) and assessment of blood natriuretic peptide (BNP) for differential diagnosis of somatoform autonomic dysfunction (SAD) with cardiac arrhythmias (CA) in children and adolescents was studied. 65 children with suspected SAD with CA aged 5 to 18 years were examined. In healthy children and in those with parasympathetic autonomic tone, the BNP concentration remained normal. In children with a crisis course of autonomic dysfunction (sympathoadrenal crisis), an increase in BNP level was observed. During interictal periods the BNP level was normal. In cases of “asymptomatic” arrhythmias, high-grade premature ventricular contractions and a significant increase of BNP were determined. In children with CA, it is necessary to assess the level of BNP and provide daily ECG monitoring in order to make correct diagnosis, determine the type of dysrhythmia, management tactics and prognosis of expected complications.