NT-Pro-BNP and echocardiography for the early assessment of cardiovascular dysfunction in neonates with sepsis

Abstract

To investigate the predictive manner of N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-Pro-BNP) and echocardiography in the early assessment of cardiovascular dysfunction (CVD) in neonates with sepsis, we recruited 108 neonates with sepsis in intensive care units and divided them into a sepsis with CVD (sepsis + CVD) group (n = 48) and a sepsis only group (n = 60). Neonates with other infections (n = 65) constituted the control group. Clinical, laboratory, and bedside echocardiography findings were evaluated. Compared to both the sepsis only and control groups, the sepsis + CVD group showed an earlier onset of symptoms [52.94 (0-185.6) h], higher NT-Pro-BNP levels (P =.02), a higher Tei index (0.52 + 0.03; P =.03), and lower ejection fraction (62.61% ± 12.31%, P