Journal of Neonatal Biology

Abstract

A Case of Prenatal Presentation with Double Aortic Arch

Nobuko Shiono, Kohta Takei, Takahiro Yamada, Tsuyoshi Tachibana, Kazutoshi Cho and Hisanori Minakami

Double aortic arch (DAA) is a form of vascular ring found in approximately 1 in 2000–4000 pregnancies on fetal echocardiography. In some cases of DAA, respiratory compromise occurs during infancy due to compression of the trachea, which is completely encircled by the right aortic arch (RAA) and left aortic arch (LAA). RAA and left arterial duct were initially seen on screening fetal echocardiography in a 36-year-old Japanese woman at gestational week (GW) 23. The fetus was later found to have DAA by detailed echocardiography at GW 26. The female neonate born at GW 38 weighing 2894 g with 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores of 8 and 9, respectively, developed tachypnea, stridor, and wheezing soon after birth, and underwent successful surgical correction 10 hours after birth. Thus, prenatal diagnosis of DAA aided in early recovery in this case.