SECUNDUM-TYPE ATRIAL SEPTAL-DEFECTS WITH FAILURE-TO-THRIVE IN THE FIRST-YEAR OF LIFE

This article summarizes the case histories of six infants who had isol ated secundum-type atrial septal defects (ASDs) and presented with fai lure to thrive in the first year of life, Patients underwent operative closure of their ASD with the expectation that this would improve the ir feeding and growth pattern, Five of the six children demonstrated l ittle or no improvement in symptoms following operation, Each of these five patients have subsequently shown signs of developmental delay, O ur experience with this group suggests that failure to thrive associat ed with a secundum ASD will frequently have a noncardiac basis.