B-Type Natriuretic Peptide as Biomarker of Fetal Cardiovascular Distress

Background: Early life exposure to a (chronic) hypoxic incident may predispose to adult cardiovascular risk. Identifying those at risk is difficult. Impairment of gas exchange and blood flow through the placenta leads to hypoxia and hypercapnia. If hypoxia persists, depletion of energy reserves and anaerobic metabolism with lactate acidosis directly affects myocardial contractility. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a biomarker of ventricular strain, is used to recognise cardiocirculatory failure.