title: Steroid therapy for hydrops associated with antibody-mediated congenital heart block.
abstract: Evaluation of fetal bradycardia noted during a routine prenatal visit at 24 weeks' gestation in a mother without symptoms showed an antibody-mediated heart block with anti-La (SSB) antibody present. The fetus had a pericardial effusion and ascites. After maternal steroid therapy, the ascites resolved and the pericardial effusion was substantially diminished. Steroid therapy may be a helpful adjunct for treatment of a premature infant with hydrops as a result of antibody-mediated heart block.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7570.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035357:SS-B antibodies