DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF NATRIURETIC PEPTIDES IN PEDIATRICS
Natriuretic peptide hormones are the family of vasoactive substanses produced by cardiomyocytes in response to the expansion and increased pressure in the heart chambers. The review of the literature focuses on the diagnostic role of natriuretic peptides in pediatrics. The most important clinical effects of natriuretic peptides, brief history of their discovery and studying, age-related changes of serum levels are analyzed. Data of their use in the diagnosis and cardiac function monitoring in various forms of cardiomyopathy, myocardial inflammatory diseases, Kawasaki disease in children are presented. The results of studies examining the natriuretic peptides levels in children with congenital heart defects and heart transplantation in pre-and postoperative period are reviewed. The review involved the diagnostic use of natriuretic peptides in neonates, including high pulmonary hypertension and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus diagnosis in preterm infants. The possibility of the natriuretic peptides use for assessing the cardiotoxic complications risk in anti-tumor chemotherapy and for differential diagnosis of acute dyspnea due to heart failure or pulmonary diseases are discussed.