Isolated persistent fetal bradycardia in complete A-V block: a conservative approach is appropriate. A case report and a review of the literature.
Persistent fetal bradycardia is rarely encountered during pregnancy. When it is associated with a complete atrio-ventricular (A-V) block, it may prove dangerous to the fetus or newborn. The prenatal diagnosis is vital because it necessitates close follow-up during pregnancy to detect fetal compromise and proper preparation for delivery. We describe a woman who was found to be suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus during pregnancy. The fetus was diagnosed as having persistent fetal bradycardia due to complete A-V block at 28 weeks of gestation and was delivered at term with conservative management. The problems entailed in managing pregnancy and delivery of such fetuses are discussed.
Rabinerson
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Gruber
A
A
Kaplan
B
B
Lurie
S
S
Peled
Y
Y
Neri
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006327:Heart Block / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal