Identifying Key Biomarkers in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension: An Investigative Approach.

This study assesses the utility of early biomarkers-5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-for diagnosing and monitoring pulmonary hypertension (PH) in children with congenital heart defects (CHD). Due to the risks associated with invasive diagnostics, such as right heart catheterization, non-invasive biomarkers provide a safer alternative for early PH detection. This cohort-based study utilized blood and urine samples to measure 5-HIAA and IGF-1 levels via enzyme immunoassays.