Pediatric Cardiogenic Shock in a 7-Day-Old With Poor Feeding and Tachypnea: Case Review

Abstract

Neonatal cardiac emergencies are often considered masters of disguise. There is inherent difficulty in recognizing and managing congenital heart disease (CHD) in neonates. The incidence of CHD is about 8 per 1000 live births, and the defects are generally classified into cyanotic and acyanotic CHD. According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, CHDs are a leading cause of birth defect–associated infant illness and death. 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention US Department of Health and Humans Services Congenital heart defects (CHDs). http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/data.html Google Scholar Infant deaths due to CHDs often occur when the baby is younger than 28 days old. The prevalence of critical cardiac disease in infants is higher than the prevalence of infant sepsis. 2 Anderson-Berry A Neonatal sepsis. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/978352 Google Scholar Kaci A. Rainey, Member, Delaware ENA Chapter, is ED Staff Nurse, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, and Adjunct Nursing Faculty, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.