Intravenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone has no effect on serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in children and adolescents.

Background: Little is known about the acute effects of i.v. luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on the heart function, therefore the aim of the present study was to measure N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) in children, who underwent a diagnostic work up for short stature or delayed puberty.

Methods: N-BNP was measured in 52 children before and after administration of LHRH. Serum N-BNP obtained from 255 healthy children and adolescents (aged birth-18.3 years) served as a reference.

Results: There was no significant difference between baseline N-BNP of children who underwent the LHRH diagnostic test and their healthy peers. There was no significant serum N-BNP level change before or after administration of LHRH (59 +/- 36 pg/mL vs 58 +/- 34 pg/mL). N-BNP fell from 399 +/- 425 pg/mL in newborns and reached 44 +/- 36 pg/mL in children aged 12-18 years.

Conclusion: Short stature or delayed puberty had no effect on heart function determined by serum N-BNP; i.v. LHRH does not acutely influence the level of serum N-BNP.