# A Female Newborn With Occipital Encephalocele and a Hypoplastic Right Ventricle Secondary to Tricuspid and Pulmonary Atresia: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A newborn girl had rare brain and heart defects, possibly linked to maternal health issues like obesity and diabetes.

## Contribution

This case report highlights a rare combination of occipital encephalocele and cardiac malformations with maternal risk factors.

## Key findings

- The newborn had an occipital encephalocele and severe right ventricular hypoplasia.
- Tricuspid and pulmonary atresia were identified as contributing cardiac malformations.
- Maternal risk factors included obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tobacco use during pregnancy.

## Abstract

Encephaloceles and severe cardiac malformations are rare presentations in a newborn. The mechanism of these congenital abnormalities is relatively unknown, but it is hypothesized to be related to genetic, environmental, and maternal risk factors. This case report describes a newborn with an occipital encephalocele associated with severe right ventricular hypoplasia secondary to tricuspid and pulmonary atresia. The patient’s maternal risk factors included obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and everyday tobacco use during pregnancy. Education on preconception planning, management, and counseling is essential as a preventative measure in fetal development and is further emphasized in this case.