Background: COVID-19 infection, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), may present with a wide range of clinical presentations and a variety of symptoms in neonates. The cardiovascular manifestations that have been described in the setting of COVID-19 infection in neonates are tachycardia and hypotension, but information regarding cardiac arrhythmias is scarce, while the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on myocardial function is still not well established.
Clinical findings: We present a case of a neonate admitted with fever and nasal congestion.
Primary diagnosis: The neonate was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) was diagnosed during his hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Interventions: The neonate was under treatment with intravenous fluid repletion, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, and continuous hemodynamic monitoring. SVT resolved spontaneously, while the team was preparing application of further supportive measures with a bag of ice on the infant's face.
Outcomes: The neonate was discharged in good condition on day 14 post-admission, with no further recurrence of SVT. Follow-up visits were scheduled with the cardiologist.
Practice recommendations: SVT in full-term or premature neonates can be a clinical manifestation of COVID-19 infection. Both neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners should be prepared to deal with cardiological manifestations of COVID-19 infection in neonates.
Copyright © 2023 by The National Association of Neonatal Nurses.