Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia in a Newborn.

Cho,  Hye Jung; Son,  Dong Woo; Shim,  So Yeon; Choi,  Deok Young; Lee,  Ji Sung; Bae,  Eun Jung

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology 2009;16(2):239-243.
Published online November 1, 2009.

Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia in a Newborn.

Hye Jung Cho, Dong Woo Son, So Yeon Shim, Deok Young Choi, Ji Sung Lee, Eun Jung Bae

¹Department of Pediatrics, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gil Hospital, Incheon, Korea. sondw@gilhospital.com
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gil Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
³Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia in a Newborn

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Abstract

Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) is a rare arrhythmia in the newborn. MAT can be difficult to diagnose; it is frequently confused with atrial fibrillation. MAT is difficult to treat but often resolves spontaneously within the first year of life. A newborn with a rapid and irregular pulse rate was diagnosed with multifocal atrial tachycardia by eletrocardiography (ECG) using a hand-made transesophageal electrode. Treatment with propranolol was attempted but ineffective. Treatment with digoxin and sotalol was attempted. The heart rhythm gradually reverted to a sinus rhythm with this treatment. We report our experience managing a neonate with MAT diagnosed by ECG using a hand-made transesophageal electrode.

Key Words: Multifocal atrial tachycardia; Neonate; Transesophageal electrocardiography