Introduction
Current resuscitation guidelines state that the safety of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in infants less than 1 year of age is unknown.
Methods and Results
We report successful AED use in a 31‐day‐old previously healthy infant with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest. Chest compressions began immediately, pediatric AED pads were applied in less than 5 minutes and the initial rhythm was ventricular fibrillation. After two 50 J shocks, return of spontaneous circulation was achieved. She was diagnosed with a rare but previously described syndrome of infant ventricular fibrillation and was discharged to home in good condition after epicardial defibrillator placement.
Conclusions
This case represents, to our knowledge, the youngest patient successfully defibrillated by an AED in a nonmedical setting. Although she received two shocks more than 11 J/kg each, she had no apparent myocardial damage at presentation.