Jaber LSK, Abu-hamdeh M, Qouqas M, Abdullah J, Asad RM, Manhal A, Yadak DGM. Rare case of respiratory syncytial virus induced myocarditis in a neonate: A case report. World J Clin Pediatr 2025; 14(4): 109877 [DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i4.109877]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Lema S K Jaber, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Annajah National University, Amriyah, Nablus P400, West Bank, Palestine. limajabr7@gmail.com
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Pediatrics
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Case Report
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Dec 9, 2025 (publication date) through Oct 31, 2025
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World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics
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2219-2808
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Jaber LSK, Abu-hamdeh M, Qouqas M, Abdullah J, Asad RM, Manhal A, Yadak DGM. Rare case of respiratory syncytial virus induced myocarditis in a neonate: A case report. World J Clin Pediatr 2025; 14(4): 109877 [DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i4.109877]
World J Clin Pediatr. Dec 9, 2025; 14(4): 109877 Published online Dec 9, 2025. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i4.109877
Rare case of respiratory syncytial virus induced myocarditis in a neonate: A case report
Lema S K Jaber, Mo'ath Abu-hamdeh, Mahmoud Qouqas, Jamal Abdullah, Rasmea M Asad, Anas Manhal, Duha G M Yadak
Lema S K Jaber, Mo'ath Abu-hamdeh, Duha G M Yadak, Department of Pediatrics, Annajah National University, Nablus P400, West Bank, Palestine
Mahmoud Qouqas, Jamal Abdullah, Rasmea M Asad, Anas Manhal, Department of Pediatrics, Hebron University, Hebron P720, West Bank, Palestine
Co-first authors: Lema S K Jaber and Mo'ath Abu-hamdeh.
Author contributions: Jaber LSK and Abu-Hamdeh M contributed equally to this work and are co–first authors. Jaber LSK is the corresponding author; Jaber LSK and Abu-Hamdeh M conceptualized the case and contributed to patient care, data collection, and manuscript drafting; Qouqas M conducted the literature review, coordinated diagnostic workup, and assisted with manuscript editing; Abdullah J managed clinical care and contributed to supportive treatment planning and manuscript review; Asad RM analyzed laboratory data, assisted in diagnostic interpretation, and proofread the manuscript; Manhal A interpreted imaging studies, contributed to clinical data interpretation, and reviewed the manuscript; Yadak DGM conducted the final literature review and supported manuscript formatting and submission; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this case report.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Lema S K Jaber, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Annajah National University, Amriyah, Nablus P400, West Bank, Palestine. limajabr7@gmail.com
Received: May 30, 2025 Revised: June 30, 2025 Accepted: August 20, 2025 Published online: December 9, 2025 Processing time: 154 Days and 5.7 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in neonates. While typically associated with bronchiolitis and pneumonia, RSV can rarely cause extrapulmonary complications such as myocarditis, which may present with life-threatening symptoms if not promptly recognized.
CASE SUMMARY
We describe the case of a 26-day-old male neonate who presented with respiratory distress, poor feeding, and irritability. Initial evaluation revealed an RSV infection confirmed via nasopharyngeal swab. As the clinical course progressed, the infant developed cardiac arrhythmias, elevated cardiac enzymes, and echocardiographic findings consistent with myocarditis. Management included mechanical ventilation, corticosteroid therapy, L-carnitine, and vitamin D supplementation. The patient responded well to treatment and was successfully extubated and discharged in stable condition after nine days of hospitalization.
CONCLUSION
This case highlights the importance of early recognition and multidisciplinary management of RSV-associated myocarditis in neonates.
Core Tip: We report a rare case of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced myocarditis in a 26-day-old neonate initially diagnosed with bronchiolitis. Early cardiac evaluation revealed elevated t troponin levels, a reduced ejection fraction, and mitral regurgitation. Multimodal management, including corticosteroids, L-carnitine, vitamin D, and conventional cardiac therapies, led to full recovery. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of RSV myocarditis in neonates and emphasizes the potential value of adjunctive therapies targeting immune modulation and mitochondrial support. Early recognition and a personalized approach may improve outcomes in this under-diagnosed complication of RSV infection.
