FETAL TACHYCARDIA - INTRAUTERINE AND POSTNATAL COURSE

Eighteen consecutive cases of fetal tachycardia referred to the depart ment of Pediatric Cardiology, Uppsala University, were studied retrosp ectively. All cases were detected at a routine visit at an antenatal c linic. None of the cases had a structural heart disease. Fetal suprave ntricular tachycardia was found in 8 cases and atrial flutter in 10 ca ses. In 7 cases, hydrops and heart failure were diagnosed. Antenatal t reatment with digoxin, alone or in combination with other antiarrhythm ic drugs, was needed in 15 cases. In 10 cases an obvious effect of the therapy was observed. No intrauterine deaths occurred. One infant die d postnatally. At birth, 4 infants were in need of neonatal intensive care when delivered. Antiarrhythmic treatment was started in 13 cases postnatally. Late relapse of tachycardia was reported in 3 children. I n 1 of these cases the prenatal tachycardia had resolved spontaneously and the infant was not treated antenatally nor during the neonatal pe riod. Although fetal tachycardia is a serious condition, antenatal tre atment in combination with careful monitoring and induction of deliver y in cases with deteriorating fetal condition result in a satisfactory outcome for the majority of infants. However, there is a risk of late recurrence.