Electrocardiographic study in asthmatic children

Electrocardiograms of 105 asthmatic children, three to 12 years old, divided into four groups according to their severity and stages of attack, were studied. The significant abnormal findings were abnormal P wave, QRS axis, R and S waves which suggested right atrial and right ventricular overload. Deep q waves in leads II, III and a VF indicated a large initial vector to the right and were found in some cases of status asthmaticus. ST-T change may be non-specific. These abnormalities were increased in the more symptomatic cases.