Infective endocarditis due to Acinetobacter baumannii in an infant with complex congenital heart disease

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) due to Acinetobacter baumannii is rare in children, however associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Congenital heart diseases are among the major risk factors for IE. We report a case of IE in an infant caused by A. baumannii. The patient is a 2-month-old infant with complaints of recurrent cough and breathlessness since birth which worsened 2 days before admission, associated with fever. There is difficulty in breastfeeding and occasional forehead sweating with associated darkening of the lips, palms and soles. She has been failing to thrive since birth. Significant findings on physical examination include respiratory distress with hypoxia, pyrexia, severe wasting, tachycardia, tachypnea, tender hepatomegaly, widespread coarse crepitation, displaced apex beat and a pan-systolic murmur. Full blood count was suggestive of sepsis, blood culture yielded A. baumannii, chest X-ray revealed dextrocardia with cardiomegaly and increased vascular markings while transthoracic echocardiography showed complex congenital heart disease with vegetation. The patient was commenced on intravenous antibiotics and supportive managements, however died while on admission.