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QT dispersion in infants with apparent life-threatening events syndrome

E I Goldhammer1, G Zaid, V Tal

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa 31048, Israel.

Pediatric Cardiology
|January 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) in infants show significantly increased QT dispersion (QT-D) and corrected QT dispersion (QTc-D). These findings suggest QT dispersion may be a valuable indicator in ALTE risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Neonatology
  • Clinical Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) is a critical condition in infants, often with unknown causes, and carries a risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
  • Associated factors include obstructive sleep apnea, bradycardia, gastroesophageal reflux, and laryngotracheal abnormalities.
  • Elevated QT dispersion (QT-D) is linked to cardiac events and mortality in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate QT dispersion (QT-D) and corrected QT dispersion (QTc-D) in infants experiencing ALTE.
  • To correlate QT dispersion parameters with clinical and electrocardiographic findings in this population.
  • To identify potential predictors of ALTE severity and outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) assessment of QTmin, QTmax, and QT dispersion (QT-D), including heart rate-corrected values (QTcmin, QTcmax, QTc-D).
  • Study included 89 infants with ALTE and 18 controls, with comprehensive diagnostic testing for ALTE.
  • Statistical analysis, including multiple regression, was used to evaluate correlations and independent predictors.

Main Results:

  • Infants with ALTE exhibited significantly greater QT-D, QTc-D, and QTc-min compared to controls (p < 0.01).
  • Males showed significantly higher QTc-D than females (p < 0.001).
  • QT-D and QTc-D demonstrated minimal correlation with infant age or diagnostic test results; QTc was the strongest independent predictor of QTc-D (beta = -0.68, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Infants with ALTE have significantly increased QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion.
  • QT dispersion parameters, particularly QTc-D, may serve as important biomarkers in the evaluation of infants with ALTE.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the prognostic value of QT dispersion in ALTE.

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