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The Brugada ECG pattern in a neonate

Shubhayan Sanatani1, Nawal Mahkseed, Hilary Vallance

  • 1Division of Cardiology, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. ssanatani@cw.bc.ca

Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
|April 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Sudden infant death in a neonate was linked to a Brugada ECG pattern, later attributed to medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. This suggests fatty acid buildup may trigger the Brugada pattern.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal cardiology
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Clinical electrocardiology

Background:

  • Brugada syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
  • Fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAODs) are inherited metabolic diseases that impair the body's ability to break down fatty acids for energy.

Observation:

  • A neonate resuscitated from sudden death presented with a Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern days after the initial event.
  • The neonate was diagnosed with medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD), a type of fatty acid oxidation disorder.

Findings:

  • The study reports a correlation between medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD) and the Brugada ECG pattern in a neonate.
  • This case suggests that the accumulation of free fatty acids, a consequence of MCAD, may induce the Brugada ECG pattern.

Implications:

  • This finding may expand the understanding of Brugada syndrome's potential triggers beyond genetic factors.
  • Early screening for metabolic disorders like MCAD in neonates with unexplained cardiac events could be considered.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking fatty acid metabolism and cardiac electrical abnormalities.

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