Umbilical cord blood amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels according to the mode of delivery.

Purpose: To evaluate cord blood amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels according to the mode of delivery.

Method: Between 1 March and 31 May 2007, 106 blood samples were drawn from the umbilical vein at the time of delivery. Eighty-four NT-proBNP levels [63 term (34 cesarean sections and 29 vaginal deliveries) and 21 preterm births] were analyzed with respect to gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, newborn gender, and cord blood pH.