Key result
A congenital partial pericardial defect caused fatal biventricular strangulation and unmanageable congestive heart failure in a 15-hour-old neonate.
Why the study?
Partial pericardial defects are rare, usually asymptomatic, and difficult to diagnose, but can lead to lethal outcomes such as sudden unexpected death in a newborn.
Case Report (n=1)
Congenital partial pericardial defects are rare but can lead to fatal biventricular strangulation in newborns, highlighting the importance of post-mortem investigation for unexpected neonatal deaths.
Consider pericardial defects in unexplained neonatal sudden death; leaves open need for broader forensic series before changing protocols.
Background Pericardial defects are rare anatomical variations that can present as an isolated variation or be associated with other conditions. They are usually asymptomatic and misdiagnosed conditions, and given their rarity, partial pericardial defects can have devastating outcomes. The sudden death of an apparently healthy newborn certainly raises concerns, and a medico-legal investigation is crucial in establishing the cause of death. This case report highlights the importance of awareness on the part of obstetric professionals of the lethal outcomes of pericardial partial congenital defects. This case also demonstrates the difficulty of establishing a correct diagnosis. Case presentation The autopsy of a 15-h-old neonate revealed a partial pericardial defect ending in a biventricular strangulation by the defective pericardium. Other findings, such as the patency of the arterial ductus, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and aspiration of amniotic fluid, were also reported. Conclusions Although imaging techniques have evolved, fetal detection of cardiac abnormalities can be tricky, especially when occurring as an isolated variation.
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Prado et al. (2022) conducted a case report in Congenital partial pericardial defect (n=1). Congenital partial pericardial defect was evaluated on Cause of death. A congenital partial pericardial defect caused fatal biventricular strangulation and unmanageable congestive heart failure in a 15-hour-old neonate.
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