Successful intrauterine therapy with dexamethasone for fetal myocarditis and heart block in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

J Rheumatol. 1993 Jul;20(7):1204-7.

Abstract

We describe a case of successful intrauterine treatment with dexamethasone for fetal carditis in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. Targeted dual M-mode fetal echocardiogram showed disappearance of pericardial effusion and heart failure with therapy. The maternofetal pair had several of the factors considered a risk for passively transmitted autoimmune carditis. Our case further supports the evidence that dexamethasone could be effective for intrauterine treatment of this clinical situation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Heart Block / complications*
  • Heart Block / diagnosis
  • Heart Block / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Myocarditis / complications*
  • Myocarditis / diagnosis
  • Myocarditis / drug therapy*
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Dexamethasone