Objective　To measure the level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) and to study its clinical significance.　Methods　Serum was collected from children with CHD. According to the clinical symptoms of heat failure (HF) defined by

the modified Ross score

the CHD children were divided into noN-cyanotic CHD group (n=48)

cyanotic CHD without HF group (n=23) and cyanotic CHD with mild HF group (n=10). Control group: outpatient healthy children (n=25). NT-proBNP level was measured by ELISA. Blood oxygen saturation (SaO

2

)

red blood cells (RBC)

hematocrit (HCT)

and hemoglobin (Hb) were detected. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 13.0.　Results　The NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in cyanotic CHD without HF group (55.87±7.96 fmol/ml) and cyanotic CHD with mild HF group (91.83±17.01 fmol/ml) than in control group (34.35±4.98 fmol/ml)

noN-cyanotic CHD group (38.54±4.50 fmol/ml) and cyanotic CHD without HF group (P0.01). No significant difference was found in NT-proBNP level

SaO

2

RBC

HCT

and Hb among the three groups (P0.05). The serum NT-proBNP level was closely related with SaO

2

(r=－0.63

P0.01)

but not with RBC

HCT and Hb in children with cyanotic CHD without HF (P0.05).　Conclusion　Serum NT-proBNP level may reflect the severity of hypoxia in children with cyanotic CHD

and NT-proBNP testing may be valuable for early diagnosis of HF in children with CHD.