Ectopia cordis: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: ectopia cordis is a rare congenital malformation, with an estimated incidence of 5 to 8 per million live births. It is defined as a malformation in which the heart is located in an extra-thoracic position. Ectopia cordis may occur as an isolated malformation or associated with other anomalies such as omphalocele, congenital heart disease or integrating Cantrell syndrome. The size and location of the defect influence the prognosis. Description: we report a case of a 24-year-old nulliparous woman, with no relevant family or personal history, in which the prenatal fetal ultrasound, performed at 21 weeks of gestation, revealed a defect of the anterior chest wall with exteriorization of the heart. Discussion: fetal echocardiography revealed a severe congenital heart disease. The parents decided to continue the pregnancy, after being duly informed by a multidisciplinary team. Delivery occurred at 37 weeks of gestation but the female newborn died one hour afterwards. Pathological examination confirmed the sonographic findings.