Brain Natriuretic Propeptide as an Early Marker of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia or Death in the Preterm Newborn.

To investigate whether increased brain natriuretic propeptide (NT-proBNP) levels at 48 to 72 h of life are associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death in premature neonates. A retrospective study was performed in neonates born before 32 weeks' gestation or with birth weight below 1500 grams, in whom NT-proBNP determination and echocardiography were performed at 48 to 72 h of life. Associations between NT-proBNP levels and the combined outcome BPD or death were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.