Fetal heart block: Vaginal delivery an option

Fetal heart block (FHB) occurs in approximately 1:20 000 births and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Vaginal delivery with intrapartum fetal scalp lactate monitoring is offered as an option at our centre for selected cases, in contrast with the published literature advocating caesarean birth.

To review perinatal outcomes at delivery for FHB at a tertiary referral hospital.

Ours was a retrospective cohort study from 1 January, 2007 to 30 June, 2020. The infant outcomes are summarised in three delivery groups: vaginal delivery, planned caesarean section (CS) and unplanned CS.

There were 23 newborns in the study period, with a median gestation at birth of 37.2 weeks and there was one antepartum fetal death in this cohort. Vaginal delivery was planned in 12 women: eight had normal births, three of these women progressed to an intrapartum (unplanned) CS and one woman had a planned CS. All live babies in the vaginal delivery cohort had an Apgar score greater than seven at five minutes. Of the 22 newborns, six required intubation, of which five had been delivered by a planned CS.

Our data suggest that planned vaginal delivery is a safe option for selected women carrying a fetus with FHB. Managing labour with serial fetal scalp lactates, and the involvement of senior clinicians are important factors in achieving a successful outcome.