Key result
Seizures in children were universally associated with ictal tachycardia and a significantly higher mean QTc interval compared to postictal measurements (P=0.005), with no ictal bradycardia noted.
Why the study?
What are the electrocardiographic changes during seizures in children?
Observational (n=18)
What are the electrocardiographic changes during seizures in children?
p-value: p=0.005
Tachycardia is the primary electrocardiographic finding during seizures in children, with bradycardia and arrhythmias being very rare.
May warrant ECG monitoring for tachycardia in pediatric seizures; leaves open QTc changes' clinical relevance.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine electrocardiographic changes in children during seizures. METHODS: We assessed heart rate changes, RR intervals and QT changes during 47 seizures in children. Consecutive QT and RR intervals were measured for 60 s before the seizures, during the seizures and 60 s after the seizures during video electroencephalography monitoring. RESULTS: There were 47 seizures in 18 patients. Five patients had generalized seizures and 13 patients had focal seizures. Twelve patients were male. The mean age during monitoring was 10.1 years (range 4 months-19 years). Ictal tachycardia was seen in every seizure. No ictal bradycardia was noted. There was only one dropped beat in a patient. The mean ictal heart-rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval was significantly higher than the postictal measurements (P= 0.005). Mean ictal QTc variation tended to increase during seizures and then decreased below the pre-ictal measurements in the postictal period. However these changes were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). RR variance was significantly decreased during seizures compared to the postictal period and the standard deviation of the RR intervals was significantly decreased in the ictal period compared to the pre-ictal period (P= 0.014 and P= 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Tachycardia is the main finding in seizures in children. Ictal bradycardia and cardiac arrhythmias are very rare despite being more frequent in adults with seizures.
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Işık et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Seizures (n=18). Seizures (Ictal period) vs. Pre-ictal and postictal periods was evaluated on Electrocardiographic changes (heart rate, RR intervals, and QT changes) (p=0.005). Seizures in children were universally associated with ictal tachycardia and a significantly higher mean QTc interval compared to postictal measurements (P=0.005), with no ictal bradycardia noted.
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