Clinical cardiac assessment in newborns with prenatally diagnosed intrathoracic masses

BACKGROUND: Congenital space-occupying thoracic malformations and diaphragmatic hernia have in common pulmonary hypoplasia. Our study aims to assess cardiac involvement during post-natal adaptation. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on newborns with prenatally diagnosed intrathoracic mass. Gathering for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), 35 neonates were compared for clinical course, cardiovascular enzymes, ECG, and ultrasound. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a high left heart defect rate in patients with severe RDS, without being influenced by the laterality. Ultrasound or laboratory assessment did not detect altered cardiac dimension or cardiomyopathy. Solely ECG signs of right ventricular strain were found. Increased QT-dispersion, T-wave and cardiac variability alterations in the first hours were all expression of non-specific cardiac repolarization disorders but predict worse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Although RDS is the predominant symptom, slight cardiac dysfunctions should be recognized for prompt treatment. Conventional examinations for postnatal adaption should be integrated by complementary investigations.