A case report on the perinatal management of a 30-week preterm baby with congenital complete heart block.
BACKGROUND
Congenital complete heart block is an uncommon condition in the newborn, but is known to occur with maternal systemic lupus erythematosus.


METHODS
This paper presents one such baby with complete heart block who was born premature (after a gestation of 30 weeks) and weighing 759 g.


METHODS
Continuous isoprnaline infusion was initially used to support the baby while her other neonatal problems were treated. A Medtronics VV1 pacemaker was subsequently inserted to maintain a heart rate that would be more physiologically acceptable for the patient.


RESULTS
This baby is currently thriving well, having been followed up for one year.


CONCLUSIONS
The management issues, encompassing maternal and neonatal problems, and a review of current literature on this condition are discussed.
Quek
S C
SC
Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Low
K T
KT
Sim
E K
EK
Joseph
R
R
D000328:Adult; D004562:Electrocardiography; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000209:etiology; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000209:etiology
D007545:Isoproterenol