Backgrounds: This prospective study was performed to determine the frequency and characteristics of electrocardiographic abnormalities in pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Patients and method: Study included 48 children (27 male) with a mean age of 25.8 months (2-168), who were admitted due to pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Results: The most common changes on electrocardiography were prolongation in QTc interval (89.3%), rightward deviation of QRS axis (85.4%), enhance in right ventricular forces (70.5%), tachycardia (64.5%), elevation in P voltages (54.1%), and supression in T voltages (52.1%). Three patients had right axis deviation (according to age), three patients had p pulmonale (p voltage >2.5 mm) and 12 patients had QTc prolangation (QTc >440 ms) on their first electrocardiographies. Rightward deviation in QRS axis, increase in P wave voltage and elevation of V1R/S ratio were more common in infants with pneumonia compared to those with bronchiolitis.
Conclusion: Electrocardiographic abnormalities are common but completely reversible in respiratory tract infections. While evaluating cardiovascular status of a child with respiratory disease, it is advisable to reinterpret the electrocardiography after recovery.
Key Words Bronchiolitis, Child, Electrocardiography, Infection, Pneumonia
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