Perinatal supraventricular tachycardia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence, therapy required and prognosis of perinatal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of eight years.


METHODS
Tertiary level perinatal and pediatric centres in Halifax, Nova Scotia.


METHODS
All newborn infants who developed SVT either in utero or in the first 30 days of life.


RESULTS
SVT was present in 33 neonates, with a male:female ratio of 2.7:1 and an incidence of 1:4347. Fetal SVT was recorded in nine (group I) but these patients did not differ from those with postnatal SVT (group II) in birthweight, noncardiac illnesses and associated heart disease. Thirty-one of the babies (94%) received digoxin and eight (24%) also required propranolol. All were asymptomatic after 48 h. One late death occurred due to renal failure unrelated to the dysrhythmia. No major congenital heart disease was found in either group. Follow-up over 44 months revealed four late relapses requiring prolonged therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Perinatal SVT is a common disorder in a tertiary centre and may represent a transient adaptation phenomenon. It is usually benign, easily treated and rarely associated with major congenital heart disease.
Smith
M B
MB
Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Colford
D
D
Human
D G
DG
D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009674:Nova Scotia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000151:congenital / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D004077:Digoxin; D011433:Propranolol