Atrial Flutter—Unique Arrhythmia in Neonatal Population, Presentation of 3 Cases

Atrial flutter (AFL) is an uncommon arrhythmia in the pediatric population. It is defined as fast ordered atrial depolarization (about 250-500 beats/min). It occurs mainly in children with congenital heart defects; however, it may also manifest in fetuses and infants with an anatomically healthy heart. In neonates, AFL is most often revealed within the first 2 days after birth.In this case report, we present 3 neonates without complex congenital heart defects with AFL, along with the description of the course, diagnostic and therapeutic processes depending on the clinical condition of a child, and response to treatment.Symptoms in this group of patients are nonspecific, that is, tachypnea, unwillingness to eat, and fatigue while feeding. The diagnostic process included thorough electro- and echocardiographic assessments. Each child was treated individually due to a different cause of arrhythmia and comorbidities.Invasive (electrical cardioversion) and pharmacological methods were used in treatment to achieve conversion to sinus rhythm.One patient required electrical cardioversion, one was treated with amiodarone and digoxin, and one infant received amiodarone. All children achieved conversion to sinus rhythm.During the follow-up, each child maintained sinus rhythm, which shows that in the neonatal group, it is a unique, but well-controlled, arrhythmia once conversion to sinus rhythm is achieved.