Dextrocardia natural history
Complications
Complications associated with dextrocardia depend upon whether or not there is an underlying syndrome associated with the condition.
- In the case of an underlying syndrome, there are some serious complications
- Bacteria in the blood (septic shock)
- Blocked intestines (due to intestinal malrotation)
- Congestive heart failure
- Infection (heterotaxy with no spleen)
- Infertility in males (Kartagener syndrome)
- Repeated pneumonias
- Repeated sinus infections (Kartagener syndrome)
Prognosis
Babies born with simple dextrocardia should have a normal life expectancy and should not experience any future complications due to it.
One of the common complications associated with newborns with dextrocardia is being born without a spleen. This could cause the newborn to be very susceptible to infections, which would contribute to high rate of death. A daily regiment of antibiotics can improve this prognosis.