Neurological outcome in isolated congenital heart block and hydrops fetalis.
OBJECTIVE
Isolated fetal heart block (HB), a condition associated with fetal hydrops, carries a high mortality rate and may result in neurodevelopmental sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, no data exist regarding the long-term outcome of such hydropic fetuses. We reviewed our experience with this condition to determine the neurodevelopmental outcome of prenatally diagnosed cases with isolated HB complicated by hydrops fetalis.


METHODS
Neurodevelopmental assessment of 5 children presented prenatally with isolated HB associated with hydrops fetalis.


RESULTS
During the last 18 years, 10 cases were detected prenatally with isolated HB and hydrops fetalis. 3 of the 10 fetuses died in utero, and 2 died postnatally, due to a dilated cardiomyopathy, at the age of 9 months and 4 years, respectively. Neurodevelopmental studies done on the 5 remaining children were normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term neurodevelopmental assessments of 5 surviving cases presented prenatally with isolated HB and hydrops fetalis are reassuring.
Breur
Johannes M P J
JM
Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital/University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. hans_breur@hotmail.com
Gooskens
Rob H J M
RH
Kapusta
Livia
L
Stoutenbeek
Philip
P
Visser
Gerard H A
GH
van den Berg
Paul
P
Meijboom
Erik J
EJ
D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D016896:Treatment Outcome