Evaluation Of Electrocardiographic Markers For The Risk Of Cardiac Arrhythmia In Children With Obesity

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to examine the electrocardiographic markers used in the risk assessment of cardiac arrhythmia in children with obesity.
METHODS: In this prospective study, 60 childrenaged 3-17 years with exogenous obesity and 60 age and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Demographic data, assessment of atrial and ventricular arrhythmia risk markers in electrocardiography, and standard echocardiography measurements were performed. P-values of <0.05 were considered significant.
RESULTS: The mean ages of the study and control groups were 11.51±3.48 years and 10.74±3.72 years, respectively. Both groups had 30 males and 30 females. Study group had significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI) compared with the control group. In electrocardiographic examinations, P dispersion (Pd), QT dispersion (QTd), corrected QTd (QTcd), Tpeak-Tend (Tp-e), Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc values were significantly higher in the obese group compared with the control group. In echocardiographic examinations, dimensions of the heart chambers and vascular structure and wall thicknesses were found to be significantly higher in children with obesity.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The electrocardiographic risk markers used to predict cardiac arrhythmias are found to be increased in children with obesity. This may suggest that increased body weight and adiposity may have unfavorable effect oncardiac conduction system.