ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the heart failure syndrome in neonates, recognizing that compared to the plethora of data in adults, far less information is available regarding heart failure in newborn infants. The roles of physiologic and neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms in heart failure have been studied largely in chronic compensated states in adult patients and mature animal models. Clearly, the etiologies of heart failure in neonates differ from the etiologies of heart failure in other age groups. Furthermore, it is likely that normal developmental changes during the neonatal period will impact upon the nature and magnitude of the compensatory physiological responses and the responses to
therapy. Lastly, there are marked differences in the psychosocial aspects of chronic disease and the impact of heart failure on growth, development, and quality of life.
