[Ectopic junctional tachycardia of the neonate]

Congenital ectopic junctional tachycardia (EJT) is a rare arrhythmia presenting in the first 6 months of life. It is often resistant to antiarrhythmic drugs and its poor prognosis (35% mortality) explains its often complex management. The authors report two cases which illustrate its unpredictability with a potential to degenerate to serious ventricular arrhythmias. The possibility of progression to atrioventricular block, increased by antiarrhythmic therapy, may lead to implantation of a cardiac pacemaker. The poor outcome of the two babies underlines the severity of these arrhythmias.