Table 3.

Reasons for Confounding Medications and Outcomes.

Drug/Dose	Week Initiated	Week Discontinued	Reason for Initiation	Outcome at Birth
Confounding Medications for Potential Fetal Cardiac Concerns
Dex 4mg	23	37	AV interval 143	EKG normal
Dex 4mg	27	27 (3 days)	Isolated Atrial Premature Contractions and runs of un-sustained SVT at 220–230 bpm	EKG normal
Dex 4mg	20	29	Mild mitral regurgitation; EFE (“echobrightness” of crux heart) trivial pericardial effusion All resolved in utero.	EKG normal
Dex 4mg	19	23	AV interval 160msec which progressed to 2°	EKG Mobitz Type I, 2° block (Primary Outcome - Stage II 2nd case)
Dex 4mg	22	24	Echo densities in right ventricle along the intraventricular septum and crux of the heart	37 weeks – mother developed pre-eclampsia necessitating urgent C-section. Neonate cardiac arrest and severe hypoxia, after resuscitation EKG RBBB and echo minimal EFE* (Secondary Outcome)
Confounding Medications for Non-cardiac Considerations
Dex 4mg	12	34	Leukocytoclastic vasculitis legs	EKG normal
Dex 6mg	14	32	Lupus flare	EKG normal
IVIG 1g/kg q 3 weeks	13	25	Added prophylaxis	EKG normal
IVIG 2g/kg q week	15	36	Added prophylaxis	EKG normal

^*Evaluation by pediatric cardiology and a specialist in electrophysiology concluded that attribution to anti-SSA/Ro antibodies versus severe hypoxia could not be determined.

^†AV=atrioventricular; CHB=congenital heart block; Dex=dexamethasone; EFE=endocardial fibroelastosis; EKG=electrocardiogram; IVIG=intravenous immunoglobulin; NSR=normal sinus rhythm; RBBB=right bundle branch block; SVT=supraventricular tachycardia