N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide for the prognostic prediction of severe enterovirus 71-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) can predict impending brainstem encephalitis, pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhage, cardiopulmonary failure, and death in children with severe enterovirus 71 (EV71)-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Methods Plasma NT-proBNP levels of 282 children with severe EV71-associated HFMD were measured. Results NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in patients with elevated blood glucose (>7.8 mmol/l) and increased white blood cell counts (>14×10 9 /l). HFMD patients who had no complications had significantly lower NT-proBNP values than patients who died or had complications ( p p Conclusions NT-proBNP levels may be able to predict complications and mortality in children with severe EV71-associated HFMD disease in the intensive care unit. Serum NT-proBNP values ≥1300pg/ml on admission could be indicative of circulatory failure and increased mortality.