title: Atrioventricular conduction delay in fetuses exposed to anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies: a magnetocardiography study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies during pregnancy is associated with fetal congenital heart block (CHB), which is primarily diagnosed through fetal echocardiography. Conclusive information about the complete electrophysiology of the fetal cardiac conducting system is still lacking. In addition to echocardiography, fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) can be used. fMCG is the magnetic analogue of the fetal electrocardiogram (ECG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight pregnant women were enrolled in an observational study; 16 of them tested positive for anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies. In addition to routine fetal echocardiography, fMCG was used. Fetal cardiac time intervals (fCTIs) were extracted from the magnetic recordings by predefined procedures. ECGs in the neonates of the study group were performed within the first month after delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PQ segment of the fCTI was significantly prolonged in the study group (P = 0.007), representing a delay of the electrical impulse in the atrioventricular (AV) node. Other fCTIs were within normal range. None of the anti-SSA/Ro and/or anti-SSB/La fetuses progressed to a more advanced heart block during pregnancy or after birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study identified a low-risk population within antibody positive mothers, where PQ segment prolongation is associated with a lack of progression of the disease.
authors: Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Wacker-Gußmann
authors: Henrike
authors: H
authors: Paulsen
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Kiefer-Schmidt
authors: Joerg
authors: J
authors: Henes
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Muenssinger
authors: Magdalene
authors: M
authors: Weiss
authors: Rangmar
authors: R
authors: Goelz
authors: Hubert
authors: H
authors: Preissl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000196:embryology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D053798:Magnetocardiography / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035356:SS-A antibodies; C035357:SS-B antibodies