Value of Troponin Testing for Detection of Heart Disease in Previously Healthy Children

Background Troponin levels are frequently obtained in pediatric patients, but the benefit remains unclear. Methods and Results This retrospective study included 1993 patients aged 0 to 21 years without history of cardiac disease in whom troponin levels were obtained during clinical evaluation of cardiac and noncardiac presentations. Troponin was elevated (≥0.1 ng/mL) in 182 patients (9%). A cardiac diagnosis was made in 109 (60%) of those with elevated troponin and in 208 (12%) of those without ( P Conclusions Troponin can be a useful adjunctive test in the evaluation of children when the differential diagnosis includes cardiac etiologies. Serial measurement was not helpful when troponin was elevated at presentation but may merit consideration when the initial level is not elevated and there is ongoing concern about cardiac involvement. Lower reference values may be appropriate when evaluating children in contrast to adults.