Mohammed Alfararjeh
Cosultant pediatric cardiologist, Saudi ArabiaPresentation Title:
Infective endocarditis and meningitis in a healthy newborn without underlying heart disease, due to Streptococcus Agalactiae - A case report
Abstract
Streptococcus Agalactiae endocarditis is a rare clinical entity in newborns with a normal structured heart. It is generally characterized by acute onset, the presence of large vegetations, rapid valvular destruction and frequent complications, particularly embolization. Mortality is high with medical therapy alone. We are reporting a rare case of infective endocarditis (IE) with mitral valve vegetation in a 9 days old healthy newborn following Streptococcus Agalactiae sepsis, complicated by meningitis and micro-abscesses. Mitral valve (MV) vegetation was removed surgically; the patient received intravenous antibiotics for six weeks. Transthoracic echocardiography after surgery showed severe MV regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension which was successfully managed by conservative care with cardiac medications.
Biography
Mohammed AlFararjeh is a Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist at Security Forces Hospital Dammam (SFHD), Saudi Arabia, with expertise in congenital and neonatal heart disease, advanced echocardiography, and pediatric critical care. He has held key leadership roles, including Head of the Pediatric Department (2021–2023) and currently serves as PICU Supervisor.
His clinical practice includes comprehensive pediatric and neonatal cardiology services, emergency cardiac care, and advanced cardiac imaging, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. He has a strong academic interest in congenital heart disease and he is actively involved in clinical research and medical writing, with submissions to peer-reviewed journals.
He holds Arab Board and Saudi Board certifications in Pediatrics with subspecialty training in Pediatric Cardiology and is pursuing advanced accreditation in EACVI/AEPC congenital heart disease echocardiography. He is committed to patient-centered care, medical education, and multidisciplinary teamwork.