Neonatal Assessment of Infants with Heterotaxy

Abstract

Heterotaxy is a generalized term for patients who have an abnormality of laterality that cannot be described as situs inversus. Infants with heterotaxy can have significant anatomic and medical complexity and require personalized, specialized care, including comprehensive anatomic assessment. Common and rare anatomic findings are reviewed by system to help guide a thorough phenotypic evaluation. General care guidelines and considerations unique to this patient population are included. Future directions for this unique patient population, particularly in light of improved neonatal survival, are discussed.

Keywords: Heterotaxy; Isomerism; Ivemark syndrome; Laterality defect; Situs ambiguus; Situs inversus.