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Open Access 01-12-2023 | COVID-19 | Research

Serum growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a biomarker of cardiac manifestations in children with COVID-19

Authors: Sally Raafat Ishak, Mona Mostafa El Ganzoury, Eman Mahmoud Fouda, Maha Ahmad Anwar, Amany Moustafa Kamal, Heba Mostafa Hamza, Nehad Ahmed Bakry

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

COVID-19 leads to severe overwhelming inflammation in some patients mediated by various cytokines (cytokine storm) that usually leads to severe illness accompanied by cardiovascular manifestations. Growth differentiation factor-15 is a cytokine induced by stress and is associated with inflammatory processes in the lung and heart. This study aimed to measure the level of serum growth differentiation factor (GDF-15) in children with COVID-19 and to correlate it with the disease severity, cardiac affection, and the outcome of COVID-19.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 144 children; 72 children diagnosed with COVID-19, and 72 healthy children. The severity of COVID-19 was assessed clinically, laboratory, and radiologically. Echocardiography was done within 48 h of admission for COVID-19 patients. Serum GDF-15 was measured by ELISA for both patients and controls.

Results

Serum GDF-15 level was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 than in controls (p < 0.01). In COVID-19 patients with severe clinical grading, those who were hospitalized in the PICU, and those who died, serum GDF-15 levels were greater. individuals with cardiac manifestations exhibited significantly higher serum GDF-15 levels than individuals without them. In children with COVID-19, increased GDF-15 was correlated to poorer ejection fraction and higher INR using multivariate linear regression analysis.

Conclusion

Serum GDF-15 is a promising biomarker of COVID-19, it can be used as a predictor of cardiac manifestations in children with COVID-19 and severe disease.

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Title: Serum growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a biomarker of cardiac manifestations in children with COVID-19
Authors: Sally Raafat Ishak
Mona Mostafa El Ganzoury
Eman Mahmoud Fouda
Maha Ahmad Anwar
Amany Moustafa Kamal
Heba Mostafa Hamza
Nehad Ahmed Bakry
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: COVID-19
Biomarkers
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01514-8

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Springer Medicine

Serum growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a biomarker of cardiac manifestations in children with COVID-19

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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