Neonatal echocardiograms of macrosomic neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To compare echocardiograms of macrosomic and healthy full term neonates whose weight was appropriate for gestational age (AGA). METHODS: Echocardiography was performed on 9 healthy full term AGA neonates and 15 macrosomic neonates. A data base was generated from valid echocardiographic measurements on each infant. RESULTS: Macrosomic infants were heavier than control infants and had a greater body surface area, but their mean cardiac dimensions were similar. The mean LVES volume was smaller than that of the control group when expressed as a fraction of individual LVED values (0.61 +/- 0.04 vs 0.64 +/- 0.02; p = 0.02). When comparing IVS/PW, it was observed that the ratio was up to and including 1.33 in the control group, while the upper limit of the ratio of the nondiabetic macrosomic infants was 1.6. The shortening fraction (SF%) was increased in comparison to infants of normal weight (40.67% +/- 3.34 vs 36.00% +/- 1.89; p = 0.0009). The thickened IVS did not elevate SF% by decreasing LVES; the macrosomic infants had a smaller LVES mean volume. CONCLUSION: IVS/PW ratio of macrosomic infants fell outside of the normal range. Macrosomic neonates were found to have an increased SF% secondary to a proportionally smaller LVES volume, regardless of IVS thickness.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: atypical presentation.

We report an unusual case of the left sided diaphragmatic hernia in which the left lobe of the liver blocked the herniation of the intestinal contents into the chest and the clinical symptoms were not apparent at birth. The patient was a full term infant born to a mother whose antenatal care included apparently normal sonographic evaluation. She developed increasing tachypnea within two hours period after birth. Auscultation of the chest revealed bilateral normal aeration. No cardiac murmurs were heard. An X-ray of the chest revealed a left sided haziness without any mediastinal shift. Progressive decrease in the breath sounds was noted over the left base. A CT examination demonstrated a left sided diaphragmatic hernia, with herniation of the left lobe of the liver causing compression of the lung. No loops of the bowel were observed in the thoracic cavity. She underwent laparotomy and repair of diaphragmatic hernia. This case history illustrates that large left sided diaphragmatic hernias may be missed on antenatal sonogram and may not present with clinical signs until several hours after birth. Both physical examination and routine chest X-ray may prove inconclusive and a CT scan is necessary to make a definitive diagnosis.

Ventricular dominance patterns in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine EKG and 2-D echocardiographic criteria of ventricular dominance in preterm infants and select those by which ventricular dominance could be established by EKG alone. METHODS: A database was constructed from EKG and 2-D echocardiographic measurements on preterm infants ranging in gestational ages from 23 to 34 weeks and birth weights from 555-2490 g, and fullterm controls. Twelve-lead EKGs were obtained in the first 4 days of life in 12 preterm infants and in the first 24 hours of 4 controls. 2-D echocardiograms were performed with sweeps from the subcostal, parasternal, apical and suprasternal views and M-mode measurements in the short axis parasternal view on 11 of the preterm infants and 9 fullterm controls. RESULTS: A definite leftward QRS axis for the preterm infants (+90 degrees, preterm; +133.75 degrees, term; t = -5.63; p < 0.001) indicated a left ventricular (LV) dominance. But R/S in favor of LV dominance for preterm infants was apparent in V6 only. A pooled amplitude index for each ventricle based on R and S wave from V1, V2, V5, and V6 leads, showed LV dominance for the preterm infants with a trend toward RV dominance with increasing gestational age (F = 20.82; p < 0.001). RVD/LVED M-mode echo ratios confirmed the LV dominance in preterm infants. CONCLUSION: A healthy full term infant is born with RV dominance. LV dominance with a trend toward RV dominance with increasing gestational age was found in preterm infants by EKG and echo criteria.