Early Detection by Point of Care Ultrasound of Congenital Heart Disease in Critically ill Neonates: A Case Report

Abstract

The first presentation of congenital heart disease and managing critically ill neonates is sometimes challenging. One of the most common birth abnormalities is aortic coarctation (CoA), which is caused by narrowing the aortic isthmus. It is tough and complicated to make an accurate prenatal diagnosis of CoA. We continue to see a high number of false (+) and false (-) diagnoses. We report a five-day-old newborn boy who presented with coarctation of the aorta and atrial septal defect and underwent coarctectomy. He had decompensated shock and looked ill. Pointof-care ultrasound helps us to reach the diagnosis, which affects clinical decision-making, choosing an appropriate intervention, and early consultation with excellent service. In the instance presented, CoA was diagnosed postnatally. In the CoA diagnoses, incorrect ultrasonography dimensions of great vessels and PA/Ao ratio are critical. However, a broad differential diagnosis is necessary, including lung dilatation (due to pulmonary hypertension or fetal blood redistribution due to potential infection).