Usefulness of serum brain natriuretic Peptide level for screening hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates.

Objective: We studied usefulness of serum B-type natriuretic peptide level as a screening tool for detecting hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in the preterm neonates.

Methods: Sixty admitted preterm neonates with gestational age ≤34 weeks, birth weight ≤2500 gr, and age of >3 days have been enrolled in this study. We measured serum B-type natriuretic peptide levels at the beginning and after completion of drug therapy for ductus occlusion.