Effect of birth asphyxia on p wave dispersion

Area of Science:

• Neonatal cardiology
• Cardiac electrophysiology
• Perinatal medicine

Background:

• Birth asphyxia poses significant risks to neonates.
• Evaluating cardiac conduction abnormalities is crucial for risk stratification.
• P wave dispersion is a non-invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) marker.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess P wave dispersion in neonates with birth asphyxia.
• To investigate the relationship between P wave dispersion and short-term outcomes (mortality, arrhythmia).
• To explore correlations with asphyxia severity and cardiac biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study comparing 30 asphyxiated neonates with 30 healthy controls.
• 12-lead surface ECGs were recorded for all participants.
• P wave dispersion calculated as the difference between maximum and minimum P wave durations.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher P wave dispersion in asphyxiated neonates compared to controls (P=0.0001).
• P wave dispersion positively correlated with the grade of asphyxia (r=0.62, P=0.004).
• No significant correlation found between P wave dispersion and short-term arrhythmia, mortality, or troponin I levels.

Conclusions:

• P wave dispersion is elevated in neonates experiencing birth asphyxia.
• Increased P wave dispersion is associated with asphyxia severity.
• P wave dispersion is not a reliable predictor of short-term mortality or arrhythmia in this population.