ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of autoanti-body-associated congenital heart block.MethodsThe clinical data of one child with autoantibody-associated congenital heart block was retrospectively analyzed.ResultsIn 24 week gestation, fetal bradycardia had been found by routine fetal echocar-diography. After birth, the anti-SSA/Ro antibodies and anti-SSB/La antibodies were positive in both infant and her mother. The diagnosis of autoantibody-associated congenital heart block was conifrmed. Intravenous immunoglobulin at 1 g/kg was adminis-trated. At 6 months follow-up, the electrocardiogram suggested type I second degree atrioventricular block.ConclusionIn the fetus or neonates found to have bradycardia and excluded the cardiac structural abnormalities, the autoimmune antibody should been tested and early intervention should been promoted.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Neonatal lupus is characterized by congenital complete heart block(CCHB), cutaneous rash, and laboratory abnormalities in infants born to mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). This study aims to examine the incidence of CCHB and clinical outcome in neonates born to mothers with SLE. METHODS: The study group consisted of 49 neonates, born from 57 pregnancies of 55 women with SLE, diagnosed at Hanyang University Hospital for the period between January 1997 and January 2005. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively identified from medical record. RESULTS: There were 5(8.8 percent) spontaneous abortions and one(1.8 percent) still births among 57 pregnancies of 55 mothers. Of 49 live births, 15(26.3 percent) were premature and eight(12.3 percent) were small for their gestational age. There was one(1.8 percent) CCHB suspected during pregnancy on fetal echocardiograpy in a fetus of mother with systemic lupus erythematosus and the fetus was not born by artificial abortion because of mother. There was no CCHB among EKG findings of 49 newborns. Laboratory testing showed hematologic abnormalities among 25.6 percent(10/39) of the babies. 5.1 percent(2/39) and 7.7 percent(3/39) of them were diagnosed as neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia was seen respectively. Anti-SSA(Ro) and antiphospholipid antibodies were predictive factors for prematurity(P=0.003, P=0.049). Anticardiolipin antibodies were predictive factors for ventilatory care(P=0.018). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CCHB among neonates born to mothers with SLE, which was measured in this study, was lower than that in earlier studies. A high incidence of hematologic abnormalities was found in our study. It is suggested that careful examination should be made of skin for the diagnosis of neonatal lupus.