CLINICAL AND SUBCLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS IN CHILDREN AT CAN THO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac arrhythmia is a common cardiovascular emergency with diverse clinical and paraclinical characteristics. Arrhythmias can be harmless, asymptomatic, or have mild symptoms. However, some arrhythmias can cause discomfort with aggressive clinical and paraclinical manifestations, sometimes threatening the patient's life. This disease has very different clinical and paraclinical symptoms between types of arrhythmia. Objectives: Describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of arrhythmias in children at the Cardiovascular Department of Can Tho Children's Hospital. Subjects and Methods: A case series study was conducted on 45 children with arrhythmias at the Cardiovascular Department of Can Tho Children's Hospital, with consent obtained from their parents or caregivers to provide accurate information. All children 0 - 15 years old were diagnosed with arrhythmia based on ECG criteria or other investigation methods at the time of first examination or discovered during research at the Department of Cardiology in Can Tho Children's Hospital, whose parents or caregivers agree to provide accurate and clear information. Results: The ratio of men to women was equal (1.1/1), with the ≥60 months age group having a higher rate compared to the <60 months group. Rapid pulse accounted for the highest rate (64.4%) among children with arrhythmias, while chest pain and palpitations accounted for the lowest rates at 11% and 13%, respectively. Most of the electrolytes did not have many disturbances. There was 1 case of hypernatremia (accounting for 2.2%) and 1 case of hypokalemia (accounting for 2.2%). There were no cases of chloride disorders. Echocardiograms mostly had abnormal results in pediatric patients with arrhythmias. The most common kind of abnormal result was mitral incompetence (26.7%). Sinus tachycardia accounted for the highest proportion (64.4%) of electrocardiography. Conclusion: The majority of children with arrhythmia were in the age group ≥60 months. Rapid pulse accounted for the highest rate among children with arrhythmias. Most of the electrolytes did not have many disturbances. Cardiac morphological and functional testing mostly had abnormal results in pediatric patients with arrhythmias.