Short QT syndrome in a pediatric patient

Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a recently described genetic syndrome characterized by abnormally brisk ventricular repolarization. Similar to long QT syndrome, SQTS might result in ventricular arrhythmias, syncope, and sudden death. The clinical diagnosis of SQTS is supported by the finding of an abnormally short QT interval on the resting electrocardiogram in combination with a suggestive clinical or family history. To date, few pediatric cases have been reported and the ideal therapy is unknown. We report a teenage boy who suffered a witnessed ventricular fibrillation arrest and was subsequently diagnosed with SQTS. Additional data from nine other pediatric patients diagnosed with SQTS are presented.