Atrial natriuretic peptide in infants and children

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2026

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children
09:45

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children

Published on: April 29, 2013

W Rascher1, M Bald, J Kreis

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, FRG.

Hormone Research
|January 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is elevated in newborns during postnatal adaptation, especially in premature infants. Levels normalize shortly after birth, suggesting ANP

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neonatology
  • Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

  • Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plays a role in fluid and electrolyte balance.
  • Understanding ANP levels in infants is crucial for assessing cardiovascular adaptation post-birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure plasma ANP levels in a cohort of normal infants and children.
  • To investigate the relationship between ANP levels and age during early life.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma samples were collected from 192 infants and children (1 day to 18 years).
  • ANP concentrations were determined using a validated assay.
  • Comparison was made with healthy adult volunteers.

Main Results:

  • Plasma ANP was significantly elevated in neonates, particularly premature infants, during the postnatal period.
  • ANP levels in infants and children aged 4 months to 18 years were comparable to adult values.
  • No significant correlation was found between ANP levels and chronological age.

Conclusions:

  • ANP is elevated during postnatal adaptation, indicating its involvement in fluid shifts.
  • Elevated ANP may counteract elevated vasoconstrictor hormones in the neonatal period.
  • ANP likely contributes to the physiological volume contraction observed after birth.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice08:34

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice

Published on: July 25, 2019

Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography09:31

Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography

Published on: January 27, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure01:17

Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure

Endocrinal or hormonal intervention in the cardiovascular system is predominantly exerted by the catecholamines - epinephrine and norepinephrine, as well as a slew of hormones that interact with renal function to modulate blood volume.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction while...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...