Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Neurological outcome in isolated congenital heart block and hydrops fetalis
Johannes M P J Breur1, Rob H J M Gooskens, Livia Kapusta
1Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital/University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. hans_breur@hotmail.com
Objective:
Isolated fetal heart block (HB), a condition associated with fetal hydrops, carries a high mortality rate and may result in neurodevelopmental sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, no data exist regarding the long-term outcome of such hydropic fetuses. We reviewed our experience with this condition to determine the neurodevelopmental outcome of prenatally diagnosed cases with isolated HB complicated by hydrops fetalis.
Methods:
Neurodevelopmental assessment of 5 children presented prenatally with isolated HB associated with hydrops fetalis.
Results:
During the last 18 years, 10 cases were detected prenatally with isolated HB and hydrops fetalis. 3 of the 10 fetuses died in utero, and 2 died postnatally, due to a dilated cardiomyopathy, at the age of 9 months and 4 years, respectively. Neurodevelopmental studies done on the 5 remaining children were normal.
Conclusion:
Long-term neurodevelopmental assessments of 5 surviving cases presented prenatally with isolated HB and hydrops fetalis are reassuring.
