[Congenital atrioventricular block--intrauterine diagnosis and neonatal pacemaker treatment]

A complete fetal heart block was diagnosed in 29 weeks gestation by means of 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms and by analyzing the combined Doppler effect of atrial and ventricular movements. Because of increasing fetal ascites and edema, Digoxin treatment is given from 31 weeks gestation until birth. 30 hours postnatal the child develops congestive heart failure which disappeared completely after pacemaker treatment. We stress the importance of early diagnosis with possibility of prenatal treatment and optimal planning of delivery in cooperation between obstetrician and pediatric cardiologist.