Isolated absence of right pulmonary artery in a 4-year old child: a case report

Abate Yeshidinber Weldetsadik1, Yemisrach Mekonnen Asfaw1, Atnafu Mekonnen Tekleab1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, atnemekonnen@yahoo.com.

Insights

Isolated absence of the pulmonary artery is a rare congenital condition. This case highlights a 4-year-old with isolated absence of the right pulmonary artery presenting with recurrent respiratory issues.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Congenital Anomalies

Background:

  • Isolated unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery (IUAPA) is a rare congenital heart defect.
  • Typically diagnosed in adolescence, IUAPA involves the absence of one pulmonary artery without other cardiac malformations.

Observation:

  • A 4-year-old male presented with recurrent chest infections and wheezing since infancy.
  • The patient exhibited symptoms suggestive of a pulmonary issue despite his young age.

Findings:

  • The case involved isolated absence of the right pulmonary artery.
  • This diagnosis in a young child is unusual, as it's often detected later in life.

Implications:

  • Early diagnosis of IUAPA can be challenging, especially in pediatric patients.
  • Recurrent respiratory infections may be an indicator of this rare anomaly in children.
  • Further research into pediatric presentations of IUAPA is warranted.

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