Intra-uterine tachycardia associated with multicystic encephalomalacia (MCE)

Multiple cystic brain lesions in neonates have been described as a result of a variety of causes. All events described thus far in association with multicystic encephalomalacia (MCE) seem to point to hypoxic-ischaemic injury as the common factor for this particular form of central nervous system damage. We describe a neonate in whom repeated, prolonged episodes of intrauterine tachycardia had been documented. Congestive heart failure and fetal hydrops were present at birth and MCE at the age of 13 wk. The obvious relationship between this child's intrauterine tachycardia and his MCE points to the fact that any fetus with prolonged tachycardia should be considered at risk of severe brain damage.