There were no significant differences between children with or without elevated NT-pro-BNP in this cohort, with regard to a positive family history of cardiovascular disease, maternal educational status, smoking during pregnancy, preterm complications (chronic lung disease, brain injury, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, persistent ductus arteriosus or persistent pulmonary hypertension), or risk factors for alterations in cardiac function such as pre-eclampsia, pPROM, and asphyxia. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is Patent ductus arteriosus.