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Ectopia cordis--a case report

Delayehu Bekele, Kefyalew Taye

    Ethiopian Medical Journal
    |April 5, 2011
    PubMed

    Insights

    Ectopia cordis, a rare congenital defect, exposes the heart outside the chest. This case report details a neonate with ectopia cordis born via cesarean section who tragically died within an hour.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Developmental Biology
    • Pediatric Surgery

    Background:

    • Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by partial or complete displacement of the heart outside the thoracic cavity.
    • This condition can present as an isolated defect or be associated with broader ventral body wall malformations affecting the thorax and/or abdomen.
    • Intracardiac lesions frequently accompany ectopia cordis, complicating the clinical picture.

    Observation:

    • This report describes a neonate diagnosed with ectopia cordis.
    • The infant was delivered via cesarean section.
    • The neonate exhibited severe congenital malformations consistent with ectopia cordis.

    Findings:

    • The neonate presented with the heart abnormally positioned outside the chest.
    • Associated intracardiac lesions were suspected or present.
    • The infant survived for only one hour post-delivery.

    Implications:

    • This case underscores the critical and often fatal nature of severe ectopia cordis.
    • Early diagnosis and management strategies for ventral body wall defects are crucial.
    • Further research into the embryological origins and genetic factors of ectopia cordis is warranted.

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