Fetal and neonatal ventricular arrhythmia.

Ventricular arrhythmia in the perinatal period is observed with greater frequency than reported in the literature. Four cases from the authors' experience and an analysis of the literature are presented. Of the total of 45 cases, nine were detected in utero, three persisted beyond the neonatal period, and two resulted in death with associated disorders. Twenty-four percent of the entire group had serious medical disorders associated with arrhythmia; however, 43% of the group with ventricular tachycardia had major associated disease.