Diagnosis and Management of Nursery Arrhythmia

Abstract

Abnormal heart rhythms in healthy nursery newborns are rare and typically resolve spontaneously. Many but not all potentially symptomatic rhythm disturbances manifest prenatally with the opportunity to prearrange delivery at an NICU on-site facility. Every nursery must be equipped to provide initial intervention for unexpected symptomatic arrhythmias. The coexistence of structural heart disease may promote symptoms and should be determined clinically and with echocardiographic evaluation. Initial stabilizing management should be administered for sustained tachyarrhythmia.