Ectopia cordis. A report of two cases in Cameroon

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Medical Genetics

Background:

• Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital anomaly where the heart is abnormally positioned outside the chest.
• It is often associated with other complex congenital defects, significantly impacting prognosis.

Observation:

• Two pediatric cases of ectopia cordis are presented: a neonate with complete thoracic ectopia cordis and a 20-month-old with partial ectopia cordis.
• The neonate had associated internal cardiac defects and severe thoracoabdominal wall malformations.
• The older child had partial ectopia cordis and an abdominal wall defect, but no major cardiac anomalies, remaining clinically stable.

Findings:

• Complete ectopia cordis with severe associated malformations in a neonate led to mortality shortly after birth.
• Partial ectopia cordis without major cardiac defects allowed for clinical stability in a 20-month-old child.

Implications:

• The findings highlight the critical role of associated defects in determining the outcome of ectopia cordis.
• Management strategies and resource allocation are crucial for optimizing care in neonates with complex congenital heart disease.
• Early diagnosis and specialized care are essential for improving survival rates in infants with ectopia cordis.