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Increased QT dispersion in epileptic children
1Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. figenakalin@superonline.com
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 2, 2003
Summary
Epileptic children show increased QT dispersion, indicating potential heart repolarization abnormalities. This finding suggests a need for further research into the cardiac risks associated with childhood epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neurology
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Epilepsy is a common childhood neurological disorder.
- Cardiac dysrhythmias, including tachyarrhythmia and bradyarrhythmia, can occur during seizures.
- Ion channel mutations are implicated in both epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate QT dispersion and QTcd in epileptic children.
- To assess the risk of dysrhythmia in this population.
- To evaluate the impact of antiepileptic treatment on QT dispersion.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 28 newly diagnosed epileptic children, 34 epileptic children on treatment, and 52 healthy controls.
- 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were used to measure various cardiac intervals and calculate QT dispersion (QTd) and corrected QT dispersion (QTcd).
- Measurements were repeated in the untreated epileptic group after initiating antiepileptic therapy.
Main Results:
- Epileptic children exhibited significantly increased QTd and QTcd compared to healthy controls.
- No significant differences were observed in heart rate, RR interval, P wave, PR interval, QRS duration, QRS axis, QT, or QTc intervals between groups.
- Antiepileptic treatment did not alter QT dispersion.
Conclusions:
- QT dispersion is elevated in children with epilepsy.
- These findings suggest underlying myocardial repolarization abnormalities in epileptic children.
- Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical implications of these repolarization abnormalities.