Maternal autoantibody levels in congenital heart block and potential prophylaxis with antiinflammatory agents.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
OBJECTIVE: The importance of maternal autoantibody levels in congenital heart block and elucidation of maternal factors that may reduce disease burden require further clarification. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnancies complicated by maternal anti-Ro antibodies from 2007 through 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In all, 33 women were followed up throughout pregnancy. Semiquantitative maternal anti-La levels were significantly higher in pregnancies complicated by fetal heart block of any degree (median difference, 227.5; P = .04), but there was no difference in maternal anti-Ro levels. In all, 94% of fetuses maintained normal conduction when the mother was treated with hydroxychloroquine or daily prednisone therapy throughout pregnancy, compared to 59% in the untreated group (odds ratio, 0.1; P = .04). CONCLUSION: Pregnancies complicated by fetal heart block did not have higher levels of maternal anti-Ro antibodies. Maternal anti-La level may be a useful predictor of fetal heart block. Maternal treatment with either hydroxychloroquine or daily low-dose prednisone throughout pregnancy may provide a protective effect.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Tunks, RD; Clowse, MEB; Miller, SG; Brancazio, LR; Barker, PCA
Published Date
- January 2013
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 208 / 1
Start / End Page
- 64.e1 - 64.e7
PubMed ID
- 23063019
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1097-6868
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.09.020
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States