A Fetus with Hydropic Change Secondary to Fetal Supraventricular Tachycardia

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a well-recognised cause of non-immune hydrops fetalis, which is associated with a high incidence of perinatal mortality. The arrhythmia can be diagnosed accurately during prenatal life. We report here a case of fetal hydrops secondary to SVT at 20 weeks of gestation successfully treated with transplacental flecainide. The controversy on the types of drugs used and the optimal route of administration were discussed. (HK J Paediatr (new series) 2003;8:130-132)