Infective Endocarditis and Aortic Valve Abscess in an Infant

Infective endocarditis is relatively uncommon in the pediatric population, but when it does occur, results in substantial morbidity and mortality. Children at risk for endocarditis are typically those with an underlying congenital heart condition. Furthermore, an endocardial abscess is a very rare yet serious complication of infective endocarditis. We describe a case of a 23-month-old previously healthy male infant with no known congenital heart disease who returned to the emergency department after a recent hospitalization for pneumococcal bacteremia, presenting acutely ill but without fever. He was found to be in congestive heart failure due to endocarditis and an aortic root abscess.