An autopsy case of congenital complete heart block in a newly born of a mother with systemic lupus erythematosus

Summary An autopsy case of congenital atrioventricular (AV) heart block is described. A newborn infant of a mother with systemic lupus erythematosus died 10 h after birth. Autopsy revealed hematoxylin bodies in the AV node, central fibrous body, and fibrous annulus of the heart. Also, immunoglobulin G (IgG) localization in the hematoxylin bodies was demonstrated by an immunoperoxidase technique. It is suggested that IgG or immune complexes crossed the placenta and that the immune deposition directly injured the cardiac conduction system, causing AV block.