Atrial natriuretic peptide during early human development.

The present review summarizes current and new knowledge on the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) during early human development. The significance of plasma ANP concentrations in relation to atrial size and ductus flow in preterm and full-term infants is emphasized. Evidence from the literature suggesting the importance of ANP in pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is explored. New information is included on the ontogeny of the renal ANP receptor system in the rat. Integrating the currently available knowledge, a hypothesis on the role of ANP in the circulatory adaptation of the human neonate to extrauterine life is presented.