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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Noninvasive Electrocardiography in the Perinatal Mouse
Published on: June 12, 2020
Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Healthy Newborns During the First Postnatal Hour
Duygu Besnili Acar1, Erkut Ozturk2
1Neonatology Department, Gaziosmanpasa Research and Training Hospital, 34255 Istanbul, Turkey.
Background:
Few studies have reported electrocardiogram data collected during the neonatal period. The aim of this study was to evaluate electrocardiographic parameters in healthy neonates during the first postnatal hour.
Methods:
Electrocardiogram samples taken during the first hour of life from newborns born at our hospital were analyzed in this prospective observational study. Demographic data and possible electrocardiogram changes were studied. The results were statistically analyzed.
Results:
A total of 260 patients were included during the study period. Among these, 50% were male (n = 130), the mean gestational age was 38.1 ± 1.4 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 3.2 ± 1.4 kg. In the electrocardiograms obtained, low atrial rhythm was detected in 0.3% of the patients (n = 1). Right axis deviation was observed in 1.5% of the patients (n = 4), and left axis deviation was observed in 1.2% of the patients (n = 3). An abnormal P-axis was found in one patient (0.3%), and an abnormal QRS-T angle was found in one patient (0.3%). No statistically significant differences were observed in the other parameters.
Conclusion:
Physiologic electrocardiographic findings can be observed during the first postnatal hour. Further studies are needed to clarify the interpretation of the electrocardiogram findings.
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