Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
[B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of cardiac dysfunction in children with chronic kidney disease]
Tomasz Drożdż1, Przemko Kwinta2, Zbigniew Kordon3
1Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland: I Department of Cardiology, Interventional Electrocardiology and Hypertension.
Insights
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) effectively indicates heart injury in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Higher BNP levels correlate with worsening kidney function and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), suggesting its utility in monitoring cardiac health in pediatric CKD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a prevalent complication in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Early identification of cardiac involvement is crucial for managing pediatric CKD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a marker for cardiac injury in children suffering from CKD.
- To explore the correlation between BNP levels, renal function, and cardiac parameters in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 66 children (age 0.7-18.6 years) with CKD stages 1-5 was studied.
- Serum urea, creatinine, cystatin C, and BNP levels were measured; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated.
- Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was determined via echocardiography to diagnose LVH.
Main Results:
- BNP concentrations and LVH prevalence increased progressively with CKD stage.
- Significant correlations were observed between BNP levels and LVMI (p=0.038), creatinine (p<0.001), cystatin C (p<0.001), and eGFR (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- BNP serves as a valuable indicator of cardiac status in pediatric CKD.
- BNP levels correlate with both renal function parameters and left ventricular mass index, highlighting its role in assessing cardiac injury in children with CKD.
Abstract:
Left ventricular hypertrophy is the most common organ damage in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Aim:
The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a marker of heart injury in children with CKD.
Materials And Methods:
We included 66 children (41 boys and 25 girls) aged 0.7 to 18.6 (median 11.6) years with CKD stage 1-5. The concentrations of urea, creatinine, cystatin C and BNP in blood serum were assessed, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from the Schwartz and Filler formulas. Patients were divided into groups depending on the CKD stage [group 1: CKD stages 1 + 2 (GFR> 60 ml/min/1.73 m2), group 2: stage 3 (GFR = 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2), group 3: CKD stage 4 (GFR 15-29 ml/min/ 1.73 m2), group 4 - stage 5 (dialyzed children)]. On the basis of echocardiography, the left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated, which was indexed for height (left ventricular mass index, LVMI). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was diagnosed if the LVMI value was > 95th percentile for sex and age.
Results:
Depending on the CKD stage the median BNP concentrations for group 1, group 2, group 3, and group 4 were 2.5 pg/ml, 6.0 pg/ml, 9.3 pg/ml and 18.0 pg/ml, and the LVH prevalence 27.3%, 33.3%, 60.0% and 63.6% , respectively. Significant correlations between BNP concentration and LVH expressed by LVMI (R=0.256, p=0.038), creatinine (R=0.453, p<0.001), cystatin (R=0.494, p<0.001) and eGFR (R=-0.473, p<0.001) were found.
Conclusions:
In children with chronic kidney disease, BNP is an indicator of heart failure correlating with renal function parameters and left ventricular mass index.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:25Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
01:28Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
01:18Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...