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Electrocardiographic changes in measles
Insights
Measles significantly impacts children's heart health, with 35% showing electrocardiogram (ECG) changes like T wave inversion. These findings highlight the critical need for measles vaccination in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles is a common childhood illness with potential cardiac complications.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities can indicate cardiac involvement in viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and types of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in Nigerian children with measles.
- To compare ECG findings in children with measles to age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded from 100 Nigerian children diagnosed with measles.
- ECG data from measles patients were compared to 100 age- and sex-matched control subjects.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences in ECG parameters between the two groups.
Main Results:
- 35% of children with measles exhibited at least one statistically significant ECG abnormality.
- The most common ECG changes were T wave inversion (28%) and prolonged P-R interval (22%).
- Prolonged P-R interval was significantly more prevalent in the 5 months-1 year age group.
Conclusions:
- Measles is associated with a significant prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in Nigerian children.
- ECG abnormalities, particularly T wave inversion and prolonged P-R interval, suggest potential cardiac impact.
- The findings underscore the importance of measles vaccination to prevent such complications and protect pediatric cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded in 100 Nigerian children with measles admitted to our paediatric wards or treated on an out-patient basis. The patients were aged 5 months-8 years (mean, 19 months) and the male:female ratio was 1.3:1. Similar recordings were obtained in 100 age- and sex-matched controls. The electrocardiographic changes observed include T wave inversion in 28 patients and prolonged P-R interval in 22. Other changes are prolonged Q-Tc (13 patients), low QRS amplitude (13 patients), abnormal QRS axes in the frontal plane (5 patients) and T wave flattening (4 patients). A statistically significant difference between patients and controls with respect to the above changes was demonstrated in T wave inversion and prolonged P-R interval--the latter in the 5 months-1 year age group. Hence, 35 patients had at least one statistically significant ECG change, giving a prevalence rate of 35%. The implications of the above findings are discussed and the need to intensify efforts aimed at immunizing all children against measles is stressed.