gms | German Medical Science

The resting ECG the most common diagnostic procedure for detecting various heart diseases. The prognostic value of ECG abnormalities depends on their prevalence in population. Prevalence of ECG abnormalities in adult population has been estimated earlier. However, spectrum of different ECG phenomena in children’s population is still under discussion. The study aims at obtaining accurate estimates of the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in population of Russian children.

Design: The results were obtained from the ECG records of 4,415 children (2,248 boys and 2,167 girls) aged from 0 to 18 participating in epidemiological study on ECG in children carried out during the period from 01.01.04 to 01.01.06. Twelve regions of the Russian Federation were selected randomly for national ECG screening program. All ECGs were read and coded by twelve trained cardiologists on the basis of Minnesota code criteria.

Results: The prevalence of abnormal generation of impulse was found in 2.6% of all children: atrial rhythm was observed in 0.84 %, ÀV nodal rhythm was found in 0.03%, and permanent changes in P wave morphology were found in 1.73%. The prevalence of incomplete RBBB is 16.85%. Complete RBBB was found in 0,03% of all children. The occurrence of Left bundle branch block was comparatively less. It was observed in 0.24% of children. First degree AV block was found in 0.52% of children, and sinoatrial block was found in 0.13%. The prevalence of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was 0.13%. Supraventricular extrasystole was found in 0.57% of children. Ventricular extrasystole has been registered 2 times rarely – in 0.21%. Supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter were observed in 0,06% and 0.03%, respectively.

Conclusions: The large sample size allowed a precise description of the most important ECG abnormalities. They are not rare in the Russian children compared to those reported elsewhere. Sex differences were found for some, but not all, abnormalities.