COVID-19's Long-Term Cardiac Consequences for Neonates

Strategic Insights -

A new study highlights the ongoing cardiac functions of neonates who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection with symptomatic findings between January 2020 and May 2023. The research aimed to evaluate the long-term cardiac functions of these patients by examining echocardiography and electrocardiography results at approximately 14 months of age. The study found a relationship between low neutrophil count, low aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and abnormal echocardiography findings, as well as a relationship between low platelet count, AST value, and lateral annulus Z-score of mitral annular plane systolic excursion. The study underscores the importance of cardiac monitoring in neonates with severe COVID-19 and suggests that low neutrophil, platelet counts, and AST levels during infection may indicate a higher risk.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 epidemic has affected many neonates, causing severe symptomatic findings that impaired their cardiac functions.
  • The study evaluated the long-term cardiac functions of patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection with symptomatic findings between January 2020 and May 2023.
  • Echocardiography and electrocardiography results showed abnormal findings in 1 (6.7%) case for left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, 3 (20%) cases for left ventricular end-systolic diameter, 7 (47%) cases for mitral annular plane systolic excursion annulus lateral, and 4 (27%) cases for tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion Z-scores.
  • The study found relationships between low neutrophil count, low AST, and abnormal echocardiography findings, as well as between low platelet count, AST value, and lateral annulus Z-score of mitral annular plane systolic excursion.
  • Authors Abdulkerim Uygur, Aslan Yilmaz, and Alper Dogan conducted the research, which was peer-reviewed and published in Pediatrics International.
  • The study suggests that cardiac monitoring is crucial in neonates with severe COVID-19 and that low neutrophil, platelet counts, and AST levels may indicate a higher risk.

Statistics:

  • 1 (6.7%) of 15 patients had abnormal left ventricular end-diastolic diameter.
  • 3 (20%) of 15 patients had abnormal left ventricular end-systolic diameter.
  • 7 (47%) of 15 patients had abnormal mitral annular plane systolic excursion annulus lateral.
  • 4 (27%) of 15 patients had tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion Z-scores within abnormal ranges.
  • Low neutrophil count was associated with abnormal echocardiography findings (p = 0.003).
  • Low AST was associated with abnormal echocardiography findings (p = 0.003).
  • Low platelet count was associated with abnormal echocardiography findings (p = 0.032).
  • AST value was associated with lateral annulus Z-score of mitral annular plane systolic excursion (p = 0.009).

Sources:

  • "Evaluation of long-term cardiac functions of hospitalized neonates with symptomatic COVID-19 infection." Pediatrics International, 2025;67(1).
  • NewsRx. Studies from Department of Public Health Yield New Data on COVID-19 (Evaluation of long-term cardiac functions of hospitalized neonates with symptomatic COVID-19 infection). Cardiovascular Week. October 13, 2025; p 188.