Prenatal prediction of neonatal death in single ventricle congenital heart disease

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether prenatal ultrasound findings and cord blood N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) can predict neonatal mortality in single ventricle congenital heart disease. Methods: The association between neonatal mortality and prenatal ultrasound findings/cord blood biomarkers was evaluated in neonates delivered with a diagnosis of single ventricle congenital heart disease. The presence of prenatal ultrasound findings suggesting systemic outflow obstruction (ascending aorta <2.5 percentile) or ventricular dysfunction (the presence of cardiomegaly or hydrops) was evaluated, and the total number of abnormal findings was converted to a numeric score called the 'single ventricle score'. In addition, NT pro-BNP and cTnT were measured in cord blood taken at the time of delivery. Results: A total of 48 cases of single ventricle congenital heart disease were included. The rate of neonatal mortality was 31% (15/48). The presence of either abnormal ultrasound findings(single ventricle score≥2) or elevated concentrations of NT pro-BNP or cTnT was associated with increased risk of neonatal death. Conclusion: The presence of either abnormal prenatal ultrasound findings or increased cord blood NT pro-BNP and cTnT concentrations was associated with the risk of neonatal death in single ventricle congenital heart disease.