It Is Not Always Sepsis: Fatal Tachypnea in a Newborn. (21st February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levene, Rachel; Pollak-Christian, Elza; Garg, Ashish; Keenaghan, Michael
• Other Names: Rhodes Larry A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in pediatrics. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-21
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; Pediatrics; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Case Reports; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/7858192
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6803

Abstract

Abstract : Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital cardiac malformation that is well understood. Despite being well characterized, CoA is a commonly missed congenital heart disease (CHD) during the newborn period. We report a full-term nine-day-old male who presented to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with isolated tachypnea. After an initial sepsis workup, subsequent investigations revealed critical CoA. Because the primary workup focused on sepsis, there was a significant delay in prostaglandin E1 (PGE1 ) initiation. This case illustrates the importance of early CoA recognition and timely initiation of PGE1 in newborns who present with suspected sepsis along with tachypnea.