ABSTRACT
Insufficiency in mesenteric flow is a risk factor for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Recurrent episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can lead to gut ischemia, with subsequent reperfusion injury. We present a term infant who developed NEC at 37 days of life after refractory SVT and reverted to sinus rhythm on day 23 and 25 of life. Resected stenotic ileum and transverse colon demonstrated inflammation with ischemia. This is the first case of NEC following SVT in a term infant without a congenital morphologic abnormality. In view of the temporal sequence of events, and in the absence of other risk factors for NEC, the SVT and NEC were likely causally related.
ABSTRACT
Bacterial endocarditis following atrial septal defect closure using Amplatzer device in a child is extremely rare. We report a 10-year-old girl who developed late bacterial endocarditis, 6 years after placement of an Amplatzer atrial septal occluder device. Successful explantation of the device and repair of the resultant septal defect was carried out using a homograft patch. The rare occurrence of this entity prompted us to highlight the importance of long-term follow up, review the management and explore preventive strategies for similar patients who have multiple co-morbidities and a cardiac device. A high index of suspicion is warranted particularly in pediatric patients.
