Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin in a subclinical neonatal myocarditis – Review of the literature and a case report

Abstract

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a male infant born at 38 weeks gestational age detected with subclinical myocarditis. The diagnosis was suggested by the raised cardiac enzymes, small voltages on electrocardiogram and biventricular hypertrophy on echocardiography. The newborn was managed with supportive, immunomodulatory therapy, diuretics and anti-platelet agents (Aspirin). Early intravenous immunoglobulin administration may have helped to reduce morbidity and mortality, even if administration of intravenous immunoglobulin is not yet clearly established in the neonatal population.

Keywords

• myocarditis
• newborn
• cardiac enzymes
• intravenous immunoglobulin