Neonatal supraventricular tachycardia and necrotizing enterocolitis: case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) are serious emergencies in the neonatal period. Although these conditions are recognized as distinct pathologies, literature reports suggest that recurrent episodes of SVT may predispose patients to NEC via disturbances in mesenteric blood flow and a decrease in tissue perfusion. Case presentation: We present a case of a preterm infant affected by recurrent episodes of SVT who developed the initial stage of NEC on the 17th day of life. Moreover, a detailed description of all the cases described in the literature is reported. Materials and methods: An integrative review of the updated literature in the Medline database and PubMed and scientific books and articles was conducted. The research from October 2019 to December 2019 was searched for with MeSH and free terms (necrotizing enterocolitis, supraventricular tachycardia) and was linked by Boolean operators. Conclusions: SVT can be considered a risk factor for the development of NEC. Therefore, clinicians should have a high level of suspicion for NEC in infants affected by SVT. This article is the first structured literature review analysing the association between SVT and NEC.

Association between Supraventricular Tachycardia and Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Case-Control Study

“…also presented a case in 2020. Their published report described a moderate preterm baby who developed NEC in the third week of life after recurrent SVT [16].…”

“…The generation of oxygen-free radicals during stabilization of cardiac output through management of SVT may induce reperfusion tissue injury to the bowel. Prolonged tachycardias may also result in hemodynamic compromise, however some authors believe that NEC can also occur in infants affected by SVT in the absence of considerable hemodynamic instability [15] [16].…”

“…Despite extensive studies conducted to determine the potential risk factors for NEC development, there are only a few case reports that suggested supraventricular tachycardia as a possible predisposing factor for the progression of NEC [7] [8] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]. The main purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between SVT and NEC.…”

Comparison of cardiogenic NEC and classical NEC in the fourth level neonatal intensive care center

“…Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which has a high morbidity and mortality rate, is the most common inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder of newborn infants. Although it is more common in premature infants (13%), it can be observed in term and near-term neonates [1]. Presently, the etiopathogenesis of NEC is unknown [1][2][3][4].…”

“…Although it is more common in premature infants (13%), it can be observed in term and near-term neonates [1]. Presently, the etiopathogenesis of NEC is unknown [1][2][3][4]. It should be noted, however, that there are various factors that may contribute to NEC, including prematurity, low birth weight, immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal hypoxia, and ischemia [1,[5][6][7].…”