In complete heart block, there is no coordination between contraction of the atria and ventricles. On ECG, this manifests as a complete dissociation between P waves and QRS complexes. Congenital heart block is a very rare form of heart block.

Causes

• It is most commonly associated with maternal Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It is linked to the presence of maternal anti-Ro and/or anti-La antibodies, although the exact mechanism is poorly understood.

PC

• Symptoms of heart block in children can vary, from asymptomatic to severe heart failure
• Neonates may be noted to be bradycardic or be in circulatory shock
• Most commonly, children do not have symptoms for the first few years of life, and then present with pre-syncope (feeling faint) and syncope (fainting)

Management

• If children with heart block are symptomatic, they will require a pacemaker.