A Case of Complete Functional Myocardial Regeneration in a Human Neonate.

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies demonstrate the cardiac regenerative capacity in neonatal mice in the first week of life. Although a similar regenerative window in the human neonatal hearts has not been defined clearly, existing evidence supports the concept of human neonatal cardiac regeneration.

CASE SUMMARY: A neonate with a complex form of cyanotic tetralogy of Fallot demonstrated complete recovery of left ventricular function after an acute cardiac injury suffered on day of life 8.

DISCUSSION: This case report adds to limited but intriguing observations that human neonatal hearts may possess the regenerative capacity observed in animal models and that that capacity may be prolonged by hypoxemia.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: A human neonatal heart has shown complete functional recovery after an ischemic injury. Hypoxemia may have extended the regenerative window of the human neonatal myocardium.