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. 2018 Sep 24;44(1):111.
doi: 10.1186/s13052-018-0570-1.

Morphine-induced supraventricular tachycardia in near-term fetus

Vincenzo Zanardo  1 , Alphonse Simbi  2 , Matteo Parotto  2   3 , Lorenzo Severino  2 , Riccardo Carta  2 , Pietro Guerrini  2 , Gianluca Straface  2
Affiliations

Morphine-induced supraventricular tachycardia in near-term fetus

Vincenzo Zanardo et al. Ital J Pediatr. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), characterized by fetal heart rate between 220 and 260 bpm, is a rare but most commonly encountered fetal cardiac arrhythmia in pregnancy that may be associated with adverse perinatal outcome.

Case presentation: We describe a 36/6 week near term fetus who presented morphine-induced SVT after maternal treatment of a renal colic. Following emergency cesarean section, the neonate had resolution of symptoms.

Conclusions: The pathophysiology of morphine-related SVT, previously documented in experimental animal models, and for the first time reported in the human fetus, is presented.

Keywords: Cesarean delivery; Fetal supraventricular tachycardia; Morphine.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Simultaneous pulse Doppler recording obtained via five-chamber view. The heart rate was 246/min
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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