Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia revealed by cardiac arrest

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a rare cause of respiratory distress in the neonatal period. Cardiac arrest may be its first manifestation. We report the case of a full term newborn who suffered at 30 min of life a sudden cardiac arrest. Despite intensive support, the patient died 5 h later. Lung examination showed pulmonary lymphangiectasia. Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia may be revealed by a sudden neonatal cardiac arrest. Pulmonary lymphangiectasia should be suspected in any newborn who develops early in life an unexplained refractory hypoxemia with radiographic reticulonodular images and uni or bilateral pneumothorax. The diagnosis is established at lung microscopy.