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Transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertension associated with hydrocortisone in preterm infant: A case
Jingbo Jiang1, Jiawen Zhang2, Mengmeng Kang2
1Department of Neonatology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen.
Insights
Corticosteroid treatment in preterm infants can cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This case shows reversible cardiac changes in a neonate after hydrocortisone, highlighting the need for careful monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal cardiology
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Cardiovascular research
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart muscle disorder often linked to genetics or neuromuscular conditions.
- In neonates, particularly preterm infants, HCM can be a secondary effect of corticosteroid therapy.
Observation:
- A 34-week preterm infant developed severe cardiomegaly and a heart murmur after receiving multiple hydrocortisone doses for septic shock and persistent pulmonary hypertension.
- Echocardiography revealed significant interventricular septum thickening (13.8 mm) and mild posterior left ventricular wall thickening.
Findings:
- The infant received propranolol and captopril, along with NICU supportive care and Holter monitoring.
- Cardiac function improved, showing a reversible course without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction or arrhythmias within four weeks.
Implications:
- Careful consideration of the risk/benefit ratio is crucial when administering corticosteroids to preterm infants.
- Cardiovascular monitoring using echocardiography and electrocardiography is essential for managing potential cardiac complications.
- Further research is needed to systematically assess the incidence of cardiac issues in preterm infants treated with corticosteroids.
Rationale:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous, usually familial disorder of heart muscle. The hypertrophic form of cardiomyopathy is frequently genetic, or as part of several neuromuscular disorders. In neonates, especially prematurity, HCM could also be secondary to corticosteroid treatment.
Patient Concerns:
We reported here a 34 weeks gestational age preterm infant presented with profound cardiomegaly after multiple doses of hydrocortisone used to treat blood pressure instability associated with septic shock and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN).
Diagnosis:
Patient presented auscultation of a grade III/IV harsh systolic ejection murmur from day 14, which was absent before. Profound cardiomegaly was indicated at chest film at day 30. Echocardiography showed severe thickening of the IVS (13.8 mm, z score = 8.29) and mild thickening of the posterior left ventricular wall (LVPW, 6 mm).
Interventions:
Propranolol and captopril were started along with supportive care. The patient was also admitted to NICU for further treatment with 24-hour Holter electrocardiographic monitoring.
Outcomes:
A reversible course was observed without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction nor arrhythmias within 4 weeks.
Lessons:
The risk/benefit ratio must be carefully considered when corticosteroids are used in prematurity. Monitors such as echocardiography and electrocardiograph should be conducted in order to guide cardiovascular management. Systematic surveys of the incidence of cardiac complications in a larger population of preterm infant treated with corticosteroid are needed in the future.
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