Neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A case report and current state in Mainland China

We report the first successful treatment of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in a neonate with Group B streptococcus (GBS) sepsis and cardiorespiratory failure, and further conduct a literature review in the experience of neonatal ECMO utility in Mainland China. A term neonate with cardiorespiratory failure secondary to GBS sepsis was put on venous-arterial ECMO at 23 h of age. After 273 h of ECMO running, the patient was saved and without major complications. The comprehensive literature review demonstrated that there were 22 neonates received ECMO previously in Mainland China, 14 of 22 of the patients are cases with congenital heart defects. The overall survival rate was 41% (9/22). Neonatal ECMO was underdeveloped in Mainland, China. Moreover, it does provide a chance of survival for neonates who have a grave prognosis by conventional treatment.