ANEURYSM OF THE AORTA IN CHILDREN

Seven children with aortic aneurysm ranging in age from 4 to 15 years were seen in a period of seven years. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography and/or surgery in each case. In three patients, the aortic aneurysm was associated with coarctation of the aorta. One had a saccular aneurysm proximal to the coarctation, and another developed a mycotic aneurysm distal to the coarctation in association with staphylococcal endarteritis. The third patient developed a diffuse aneurysm of the aortic arch 15 years following coarctectomy. The remaining four patients had aortic aneurysms of the ascending aorta. One had a mycotic aneurysm following aortic valvulotomy, another had Marfan's syndrome, a third had a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, and the fourth a traumatic tear of the aorta with pseudoaneurysm formation. If an aortic aneurysm develops in association with aortic valvular disease or coarctation of the aorta, a precipitating factor such as systemic hypertension, trauma, or infection is usually identified. Long-term follow-up is urged in patients with coarctation of the aorta in view of the possibility that an aneurysm of the aorta may occur even after survical resection of a coarctation.