Dilatation of the Left Ventricle in a Newborn: Probable in Utero Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

A case study is presented of a premature infant delivered at 32 week's gestation by cesarean section. At birth the infant had massive cardiomegaly with extreme left ventricular dilatation as well as severe congestive heart failure and respiratory distress. The findings at autopsy suggest that the cardiac dysfunction was secondary to a myocardial infarct occurring in utero.

Key Words:

• congenital heart disease
• ischemic heart disease
• cardiac aneurysm