Recurrent necrotizing enterocolitis associated with episodes of supraventricular tachycardia

The case of a 5-month-old baby with congenital heart disease and recurrent episodes of refractory supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is presented. Severe segmental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) developed in the patient after one prolonged episode of SVT that required a limited right hemicolectomy. Further episodes of SVT were associated with recurrence of NEC requiring multiple laparotomies, The pathogenesis and therapeutic implications of this process are discussed in view of the potentially multiple pathological processes involved. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.