ISOLATED PERSISTENT FETAL BRADYCARDIA IN COMPLETE A-V BLOCK - A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH IS APPROPRIATE - A CASE-REPORT AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Persistent fetal bradycardia is rarely encountered during pregnancy. W hen it is associated with a complete atrio-ventricular (A-V) block, it may prove dangerous to the fetus or newborn. The prenatal diagnosis i s vital because it necessitates close follow-up during pregnancy to de tect fetal compromise and proper preparation for delivery. We describe a woman who was found to be suffering from systemic lupus erythematos us during pregnancy. The fetus was diagnosed as having persistent feta l bradycardia due to complete A-V block at 28 weeks of gestation and w as delivered at term with conservative management. The problems entail ed in managing pregnancy and delivery of such fetuses are discussed.