Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: Inputs of BNP, NT-proBNP and Galectin-3.

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, a cohort of Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) patients has been described. Cardiac involvement is found in 80-85% patients, typically with cardiac dysfunction with or without cardiogenic shock. Here, three cardiac biomarkers, BNP, NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 were compared for the first time in MIS-C in a unique cohort of hospitalized French children.

Methods: Fourteen children with MIS-C hospitalized at Necker-Enfants Malades for cardiac management during the first three COVID-19 waves (March 2020-March 2021) were included. All had positive SARS-CoV-2 serology and proven cardiac involvement assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. NT-proBNP, BNP and Galectin-3 were measured at admission, discharge and first follow-up clinic.

Results: All admission Galectin-3 measurements were comprised within the reference interval, both in patients with and without cardiogenic shock, and did not vary between admission, discharge and first follow-up clinic. Both median admission BNP and NT-proBNP were higher in children with cardiogenic shock than without. Median admission NT-proBNP was higher than its predictive positive value in heart failure in both groups of children, while median BNP was below its negative predictive value in children without cardiogenic shock but with cardiac dysfunction.

Conclusions: Galectin-3 does not seem affected by MIS-C. NT-proBNP seems to increase more precociously than BNP possibly making it a more sensitive marker for screening of heart failure in MIS-C.