Newborn with transverse facial cleft associated with polyhydramnios.

We describe here the case of a female newborn baby with a bilateral complete transverse facial cleft. Obstetrical ultrasound had revealed an increased amount of amniotic fluid from 28 weeks' gestation without fetal hydrops or congenital anomalies. A 1900-g baby girl born at 36 weeks' gestation presented with bilateral wide facial clefts with macrostomia, microphthalmia, nose, and auricular deformities. Her breathing was dependent on life support, which was discontinued 2 hours after birth. An autopsy revealed no congenital malformations in vital organs but the absence of the olfactory nerves. Polyhydramnios and respiratory arrest after birth were presumed to be due to central disintegration of swallowing and breathing, in this case with brain anomaly.

Critical pulmonary stenosis with intact ventricular septum and fetal arrhythmias.

A 23-year-old woman, gravida 1, was referred to our hospital for possible fetal distress at 32 weeks of pregnancy. A fetal cardiotochogram showed a reactive pattern, but mild continuous bradycardia and an intermittent pulse were observed, regarded as a sinus type and a type of A-V block, respectively. The continuous deceleration of the heart rate to 95 bpm was observed frequently at 35 weeks, 3 days of gestation. Thus, an emergent cesarean section was performed and a viable 2,082 g female infant was delivered. The neonate gradually became cyanotic, and an echocardiogram was performed. The neonate was regarded as a right ventricular outflow obstruction with intact ventricular septum. Unlike other cases, the infant revealed a moderately developed right ventricle despite a severely stenotic tricuspid valve. The infant died 27 days after birth and an autopsy established the diagnosis of critical pulmonary stenosis with intact ventricular septum. Right ventricular myocardial sinusoidal-coronary artery connections, one of the major features of this type of heart anomaly, was speculated to be involved in the cause of fetal bradyarrhythmias.

Simultaneous supraventricular tachycardias in both fetuses of a twin gestation.

BACKGROUND: Fetal supraventricular tachycardia confers an increased risk of cardiac failure, hydrops, and eventual intrauterine death. Although protocols for prenatal anti-arrhythmic treatment are now well established, few published reports discuss this condition in the setting of multiple pregnancies. CASE REPORT: A 20-year-old primigravida woman with a twin pregnancy presented at 31 weeks of gestation for routine obstetrical check-up which revealed simultaneous supraventricular tachycardia in both fetuses. She was treated with oral digoxin, resulting in successful cardioversion in both of the fetuses, which was maintained until they were delivered by caesarian section at 38 weeks gestation. However, several hours after birth, tachyarrhythmias recurred in each of the infants. Combined disopyramide therapy with digoxin was necessary to control their heart rates. CONCLUSION: The treatment of arrhythmia in fetuses of a multiple gestation presents unique issues, particularly when diagnosed prior to fetal lung maturity.