Kartagener syndrome: an unusual cause of respiratory distress in the newborn.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Kartagener Syndrome (KS) a rare genetic disorder belongs to a group of disorders referred to as primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) where the cilia covering the respiratory epithelium is either immotile or beat in an uncoordinated fashion. It is characterized by a triad of dextrocardia (with or without situs inversus), chronic sinusitis and bronchiectasis as a result of poor mucociliary clearance of mucus and bacteria. This may lead to respiratory distress in the newborn period. METHOD: This is a case report of a 14-day old male who presented with respiratory distress (which was noticed soon afterbirth) and features suggestive of KS. CONCLUSION: KS should be suspected in neonates presenting with respiratory distress, pneumonia and no risk factors for infection.