Paroxysmal Tachycardia in Infancy: Follow-Up Study of 47 Subjects Ranging in Age From 10 to 26 Years

A follow-up study of 47 individuals with paroxysmal tachycardia in infancy is reported. The incidence of recurrence decreases from 55% during infancy to 17% up to 10 years of age; a slight increase to 23% is then observed in adolescence. There is a higher incidence of paroxysm in cases with preexcitation in the ECG. Physical overexertion may be a triggering factor in recurrences, but exemption from school physical education and sports should only be granted exceptionally. No signs of reduced physical working capacity were found in this group. The results of maintenance therapy do not appear to have improved in the past decade.