Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Fetuses with Cardiac Disease

Abstract

Objective: To investigate atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels in fetuses with cardiac defects and to evaluate the relationships between plasma ANP levels and the presence of polyhydramnios. Methods: Plasma ANP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 27 fetuses with cardiac abnormalities and in 14 normal healthy fetuses. Results: Fetal plasma ANP levels were similar in the two studied groups (p = 0.18) but they were significantly higher in a subset of cases with cardiac disease and polyhydramnios (n = 7) than in those with cardiac disease and normal amniotic fluid (n = 20; p = 0.036) and controls (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Polyhydramnios in fetuses with heart conditions might be explained by increased fetal diuresis secondary to increased ANP production.

Potential and Limitations of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide as Biomarker in Pediatric Heart Failure—A Comparative Review

“…While Zeevi et al reported a significant increase of ANP in PS, AS, CoA and MS compared to controls, Matsuoka et al and Yeh et al could not confirm this (13, 23, 25). By examining whether fetuses with cardiac malformations already show increased ANP levels, different types of CHD did not significantly differ (19). Furthermore, no significant difference to fetal controls could be detected.…”