Which laboratory test can indicate heart failure in children?

Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are indeed an important laboratory test that can indicate heart failure in children. BNP is a hormone produced by the heart in response to ventricular wall stress and increased fluid overload, which often occurs in heart failure. When the heart is unable to pump effectively, such as in cases of heart failure, the levels of BNP in the bloodstream increase significantly. Therefore, measuring BNP levels can help healthcare providers assess the presence and severity of heart failure in pediatric patients.

In contrast, while serum electrolytes, complete blood count, and liver function tests can provide valuable information about a child's overall health or help in diagnosing other conditions, they are not specific indicators of heart failure. Serum electrolytes might help assess associated issues like dehydration or kidney function, a complete blood count can identify infections or anemia, and liver function tests can indicate liver health, but none of these tests specifically measure cardiac function or assess fluid overload in the same way that BNP levels do.