Soluble ST2 and galectin-3 in pediatric patients without heart failure.

Objectives: Soluble ST2 (ST2) and galectin-3 (Gal3) are biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis and remodeling. This study provides a foundation for the use of ST2 and Gal3 in pediatric patients by assessing values of these biomarkers among children without heart failure.

Design And Methods: Sera from 240 children, 40 males and 40 females from each of three age groups, (2-6 years, 7-11 years, and 12-17 years) without heart failure were identified from residual clinical testing. Serum ST2 and Gal3 were measured by ELISA.

Results: Serum ST2 increased with age among males, but not females. However, the difference was not statistically significant at the 95th or 97.5th percentiles. No relationship was found between serum Gal3 concentrations and age or gender. Central 95th percentiles (2.5th to 97.5th) were 9-50 ng/mL for ST2 and 7-33 ng/mL for Gal3.

Conclusions: We have presented baseline, normative data for ST2 and Gal3 in children. This will allow for study of the utility of these biomarkers in children with heart disease.