Atrial Flutter in a Newborn: A Case Report

Background: Neonatal Cardiac Arrhythmias are found in 1% to 5% of newborns during the first 10 days of life. The most common symptomatic arrhythmia in the neonatal period is Supra Ventricular Tachicardia(SVT), which has an incidence of 1/25,000. Idiopathic neonatal atrial flutter (AFL) is a rare rhythm disorder usually occurring in the first days of life and characterized by sustained tachycardia in newborns and infants with an atrial rate around 340-580 beats/minute(BMP). AFL may manifest as asymptomatic tachycardia, congestive heart failure, or hydrops and may be life-threatening and fatal. Case presentation: We reported a 38 weeks female neanate presented with tachycardia during the first physical examination and recieved adenosine therapy and cardioversion. Conclusion : AFL, as a rare but life-threatening rhythm disorder in the fetal and neonatal period that can cause fetal hydrops and infant death, should be considered by neonatologists.