Ventricular repolarization changes in children with breath holding spells.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Electrophysiology
• Autonomic Nervous System

Background:

• Breath holding spells are common, non-epileptic paroxysmal events in childhood.
• Electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters related to atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization are crucial for assessing cardiac health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential electrocardiographic changes in atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization in children experiencing breath holding spells.
• To compare ECG parameters between children with breath holding spells and a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of ECGs from 58 children diagnosed with breath holding spells.
• Measurement of various ECG intervals including QT, QTc, T peak-end (Tp-e), and P dispersion (Pd).
• Comparison of these ECG parameters with those of 44 healthy children.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant increases in QT dispersion (QTd), QTc dispersion (QTcd), Tp-e/QT ratio, Tp-e/QTc ratio, JT interval, JTc, Tp-e/JT ratio, Tp-e/JTc ratio, and P dispersion (Pd) were observed in children with breath holding spells compared to controls.
• All measured parameters showed significant differences between the case and control groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Breath holding spells are associated with significant alterations in ventricular repolarization and atrial conduction.
• Children with breath holding spells may be at an elevated risk for developing cardiac rhythm disorders.
• ECG analysis can provide valuable insights into the cardiac implications of breath holding spells.