Successful perinatal management of a very low birthweight infant with congenital complete atrioventricular block.

We report a very low birthweight infant with congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB) who underwent delayed implantation of a permanent pacemaker without temporary pacing. The female infant was born at 30 weeks gestation and weighed 1422 g. After birth, the infant showed respiratory failure due to pleural effusion and respiratory distress syndrome at birth. The heart rate ranged between 50 and 55 bpm. The chest x-ray demonstrated dilated heart, but echocardiogram showed good systolic ventricular function. Respiratory failure was resolved after supportive treatment without temporary pacing. Mild heart failure due to low heart rate persisted, but was successfully managed by conventional heart failure therapy combined with nasal continuous positive airway pressure. She achieved a body weight gain to 1856 g at the age of 49 days and underwent implantation of a permanent pacemaker. We conclude that it is important to determine the timing of both delivery and pacemaker implantation for successful perinatal management of infants with CCAVB.