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Imipramine and electrocardiographic abnormalities in hyperactive children
Insights
Imipramine treatment in children may cause electrocardiographic abnormalities, including atrioventricular block. Careful clinical monitoring is essential during imipramine pharmacotherapy for behavior disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Child Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used for behavior disorders in children.
- Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes have been reported with tricyclic antidepressants, but data in pediatric populations are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report cases of ECG abnormalities in children treated with imipramine.
- To assess the relationship between imipramine plasma levels and ECG changes.
Main Methods:
- Observational case series of seven children aged 7-10 years receiving imipramine.
- Electrocardiograms were performed during imipramine pharmacotherapy.
- Imipramine plasma levels were measured at steady state.
Main Results:
- Seven children exhibited ECG abnormalities.
- Three children developed first-degree atrioventricular block.
- No direct correlation was found between imipramine plasma levels and the severity of ECG changes.
Conclusions:
- Imipramine pharmacotherapy can lead to ECG abnormalities in children.
- Close clinical surveillance is necessary for children undergoing imipramine treatment.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term cardiac effects.
Abstract:
The authors report seven cases of electrocardiographic abnormalities occurring in 7- to 10-year-old children receiving imipramine pharmacotherapy for behavior disorders. Three of the children evidenced a first-degree atrioventricular block. The abnormalities were less pronounced in the other four children. Imipramine plasma levels during steady state were not found to be directly related to the extent of the electrocardiographic changes within the obtained plasma values. The authors emphasize the necessity of careful clinical surveillance of children receiving imipramine pharmacotherapy.