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Electro-stimulation in preterm neonates with congenital auriculo-ventricular block. Report of three cases

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Abstract

Congenital auriculo-ventricular blocks (CAVB) are usually linked to maternal auto-immune diseases and their management remains controversial. We report three cases of CAVB in preterm newborns managed using electro-stimulation with an external, followed by an internal pacemaker. Results and long-term follow-up were satisfactory in all three children. Conclusion: the transitory placement of an external pacemaker seems necessary in low birth weight infants in order to allow weight gain and therefore the insertion of a permanent pacemaker. The prognosis seems good but a regular echocardiographic surveillance is of great importance in order to detect the onset of cardiac failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy.

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Abbreviations

AV :

auriculo-ventricular

CAVB :

congenital AV block

SLE :

systemic lupus erythematosus

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Service de Médecine Néonatale, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, CHRU de Lille, 59037 , Lille Cedex, France

    Thameur Rakza, Nahida Rifai, Eric Magnenant, Pierre Lequien & Laurent Storme

  2. Department of Neonatology, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France

    Armelle Delapintiere

  3. Department of Paediatric Cardiology, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France

    Guy Vaksmann

  4. Department of Paediatric Surgery, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France

    Michel Bonnevalle

Authors
  1. Thameur Rakza
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  2. Nahida Rifai
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  3. Armelle Delapintiere
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  4. Eric Magnenant
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  5. Guy Vaksmann
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  6. Michel Bonnevalle
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  7. Pierre Lequien
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  8. Laurent Storme
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Correspondence to Thameur Rakza.

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Rakza, T., Rifai, N., Delapintiere, A. et al. Electro-stimulation in preterm neonates with congenital auriculo-ventricular block. Report of three cases. Eur J Pediatr 163, 85–88 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-003-1379-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-003-1379-4

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