N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide levels in children with allergic rhinitis

Authors: HASİBE ARTAÇ, HÜSAMETTİN VATANSEV, DERYA ÇİMEN, DERYA ARSLAN, FATMA KAYA, SEYİT ALİ KAYIŞ, BÜLENT ORAN

Abstract: Background/aim: Persistent upper airway obstruction may lead to increased pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations and PAP values in children with allergic rhinitis. Materials and methods: Sixty-six patients with allergic rhinitis and 22 healthy children were prospectively enrolled in this study. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured at first admission and after treatment. Simultaneously, echocardiography was done to assess pulmonary arterial hypertension, and rhinitis symptom scores were recorded. Results: The median age of the study group was 9.0 (5.0?17.0) years; 26 were female. PAP was found to be normal in all the patients. There was a negative correlation between age and NT-proBNP levels (r = ?0.452, P < 0.01). Nasal blockage levels affected NT-proBNP levels mildly (P = 0.067). No significant difference between before and after nasal steroid treatment was observed in NT-proBNP levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that NT-proBNP level and PAP may not be affected in children with allergic rhinitis, and primarily this influence may be associated with the severity of nasal obstruction.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, pulmonary arterial pressure, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, nasal obstruction, cardiac evaluation

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