Neonatal Enterovirus Myocarditis: A Case Report

Abstract

Neonatal myocarditis is most often caused by enterovirus and has a high mortality of 50. We report a case of neonatal enterovirus myocarditis. The patient was born at term with a birth weight of 2 637 g. He developed fever on perinatal day 2, and a gallop rhythm was detected by auscultation on day 7. Based on severe left ventricular dysfunction and elevated troponin T, the diagnosis of acute myocarditis was made. Despite inotropic support, his cardiovascular condition deteriorated. He was transferred to a tertiary medical center on day 9 and was further treated with inotropes and mechanical ventilation. On day 30, he was weaned from hemodynamic support and transferred back to the local hospital. Enterovirus was detected in the blood sample taken on day 10 and was thought to be the cause of myocarditis. The test result for neutralizing antibody was negative. Prevention of viral infection during the perinatal period is crucial, given the severity of the disease, requirement of intensive care, and limited treatment options currently available.