Infant with epistaxis and absent femoral pulses

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Defects
• Vascular Abnormalities

Background:

• Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital narrowing of the aortic arch.
• It can present in infancy with heart failure or remain latent into adulthood.
• Early diagnosis is crucial for improved patient outcomes.

Observation:

• An infant presented with epistaxis (nosebleeds).
• Physical examination revealed findings suggestive of coarctation of the aorta.
• This highlights the importance of thorough physical assessment in infants.

Findings:

• A cardiac murmur and differential blood pressure between upper and lower extremities are key indicators.
• While absent femoral pulses are common, they are not consistently reliable.
• Prompt identification based on these physical signs is vital.

Implications:

• Early detection of coarctation of the aorta through physical examination improves survival rates.
• This case underscores the value of recognizing subtle physical findings in pediatric patients.
• Timely diagnosis and intervention can prevent severe complications like congestive heart failure.