Which finding may be expected in an infant with coarctation of the aorta?

In an infant with coarctation of the aorta, weak femoral pulses are an expected finding. This condition involves a narrowing of the aorta, typically occurring just distal to the left subclavian artery. As a result, blood flow to the lower part of the body, including the legs and the femoral arteries, can be significantly decreased.

When examining the circulatory status, the femoral pulses may feel weak or diminished due to this reduced blood flow. In contrast, the upper extremities, such as the arms, often receive adequate blood supply, potentially resulting in strong radial pulses. This discrepancy in pulse strength between the upper and lower body is a key indicator of the condition, helping healthcare providers assess the severity of the coarctation and plan further interventions.

Maintaining awareness of blood pressure readings is also important in this context; hypertension is often observed in the upper body (arms) due to the increased resistance caused by the coarctation, while lower extremity blood pressure can be lower than expected due to diminished blood flow. Thus, normal blood pressure readings would not typically be observed in an infant with a significant coarctation of the aorta.