Abstract

MARTINEZ GONZALEZ, Luis Raúl. Severe fetal effusion treated with prenatal drug therapy: A case report. Rev Cubana Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2001, vol.27, n.3, pp. 217-220. ISSN 1561-3062.

A case was reported in which the diagnosis was a severe pericardial effusion in a fetus, at 30 weeks of gestation, with increasing bradycardia and risk of cardiac tamponade and intrauterine fetal death. After the genetic counseling service, the patient decided to continue her pregnancy, so it was determined to apply digitalis therapy to the fetus at a dose of 0,50 mg daily and antibiotic therapy to treat a possible myocardiopathy since no other anatomic alterations was observed in the fetal echocardiogram. The progress of this case was followed-up by ultrasonography. Positive results were achieved because the pericardial effusion was progressively reduced from 22 to 4mm with good contractibility of myocardium and improved heart rate. The amniotic fluid index dropped from 97,5 percentiles to 50; the fetal biometry was normal. Cesarean section was performed at 40 weeks of gestation due to acute fetal distress and a female fetus weighing 3 040 g with Apgar 8-9 score was born. Her development was satisfactory. The examination of the neonate was normal according to the cardiologist. Her development was comprehensively followed up in the puericulture service and it was satisfactory. At present, she is considered to be a healthy girl.

Keywords : PERICARDIAL EFFUSION [congenital]; PERICARDIAL EFFUSION [therapy]; FETAL DISEASES [diagnosis]; ABNORMALITIES [diagnosis]; CESAREAN SECTION; CARDIAC TAMPONADE.

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