Useful Tools
Our Tools page will feature calculators for various z-scores, designed to simplify statistical analysis and interpretation. This section is currently under development—stay tuned for updates as we bring these tools to life!
NT-proBNP Z-score References
The diagnostic value of NT-proBNP has been adopted lately to support the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, with additional value predicting coronary artery lesions and resistance to IVIG. Kobayashi et al, Revision of diagnostic guidelines for Kawasaki disease (6th revised edition). Pediatr Int. Oct 2020;62(10):1135-1138. doi:10.1111/ped.14326
​
Because of normal variation with age (normally high in infants with a decrescendo mode thereafter), an NT-proBNP normalization for age (Z-score) is preferred compared to a fixed cut-off value.
​
NT-proBNP Z-score can be easily calculated on the provided tool by entering Date of birth (the most approximate) and the date of the performed test (the most approximate).​ Z-score > 2.0 is considered abnormal.​ McNeal-Davidson et al, Value of amino-terminal pro B-natriuretic peptide in diagnosing Kawasaki disease. Pediatr Int. Oct 2012;54(5):627-33. doi:10.1111/j.1442-200X.2012.03609.x​​​
Multiple Coronary Artery z-score Calculator References
1. Dallaire F, Dahdah N. New Equations and a Critical Appraisal of Coronary Artery Z Scores in Healthy Children. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2011 Jan;24(1):60–74.
​
2. McCrindle BW, Li JS, Minich LL, Colan SD, Atz AM, Takahashi M, Vetter VL, Gersony WM, Mitchell PD, Newburger JW; Pediatric Heart Network Investigators. Coronary artery involvement in children with Kawasaki disease: risk factors from analysis of serial normalized measurements. Circulation. 2007 Jul 10;116(2):174-9. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.690875. Epub 2007 Jun 18. PMID: 17576863.
​
3. Lopez L, Colan S, Stylianou M, Granger S, Trachtenberg F, Frommelt P, Pearson G, Camarda J, Cnota J, Cohen M, Dragulescu A, Frommelt M, Garuba O, Johnson T, Lai W, Mahgerefteh J, Pignatelli R, Prakash A, Sachdeva R, Soriano B, Soslow J, Spurney C, Srivastava S, Taylor C, Thankavel P, van der Velde M, Minich L; Pediatric Heart Network Investigators*. Relationship of Echocardiographic Z Scores Adjusted for Body Surface Area to Age, Sex, Race, and Ethnicity: The Pediatric Heart Network Normal Echocardiogram Database. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. 2017 Nov;10(11):e006979. doi: 10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.117.006979. PMID: 29138232; PMCID: PMC5812349.
4. Kobayashi T, Fuse S, Sakamoto N, Mikami M, Ogawa S, Hamaoka K, Arakaki Y, Nakamura T, Nagasawa H, Kato T, Jibiki T, Iwashima S, Yamakawa M, Ohkubo T, Shimoyama S, Aso K, Sato S, Saji T; Z Score Project Investigators. A New Z Score Curve of the Coronary Arterial Internal Diameter Using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma Method in a Pediatric Population. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2016 Aug;29(8):794-801.e29. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2016.03.017. Epub 2016 Jun 7. PMID: 27288089.
​​​​