OBJECTIVE: Noninvasive cardiac assessment of
newborns and
infants of
women with
systemic lupus erythematosus . The
children had no
congenital total
atrioventricular block and were compared with the
children of healthy
women .
METHODS: We prospectively assessed 13
newborns and
infants aged 1 to 60 days,
children of
women with
systemic lupus erythematosus and without
congenital total
atrioventricular block . These
children were compared with 30
children of
women who had no lupus or anti-Ro/SSA
antibodies , and no
risk factors for
congenital heart disease either. Their
age groups matched. The following examinations were performed cardiological
physical examination ,
electrocardiography ,
echocardiography , and signal-averaged
electrocardiography .
RESULTS: The
statistical analysis showed no significant difference in
ventricular function or in the cardiac conduction system between the groups.
CONCLUSION: In regard to the conduction system and
ventricular function in the absence of total
atrioventricular block , no statistically significant difference was observed between the
children of
women with
systemic lupus erythematosus and
children of healthy
women