Early repolarization pattern occurred in 14.5% of pediatric athletes and was associated with a higher frequency of normal ECG findings compared to those without ERP (98.3% vs 72.1%; P<0.001).
Observational (n=428)
No
Early repolarization pattern is common in pediatric athletes (14.5%), clusters with benign ECG adaptations, and exhibits sex-specific morphological differences despite similar prevalence between boys and girls.
Absolute Event Rate: 98.3% vs 72.1%
p-value: p=<0.001
Objective: To determine the prevalence, characteristics, and sex differences of early repolarization pattern (ERP) in pediatric athletes. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Large popular race in Geneva, 2018 to 2024. Participants:Intotal, 428 athletes aged 8 to 17 years, training ≥6 hours per week. Interventions: Participants underwent history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) interpreted according to athlete-specific recommendations. ERP was defined using Macfarlane criteria. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence and morphology of ERP, ECG parameters, and sex-related differences. Results: ERP was present in 62 athletes (14.5%), with similar prevalence in boys (16.4%) and girls (13.1%; P = 0.676). Notched ERP (40.0% vs 12.0%; P = 0.022) and ascending ST slopes (80.0% vs 52.2%; P = 0.041) were more frequent in boys, whereas slurred ERP and flat/descending slopes predominated in girls. Compared with athletes without ERP, those with ERP showed shorter QRS duration (85.4 ± 6.9 vs 89.9 ± 11.0 ms; P = 0.002), shorter QTc interval (415.1 ± 19.2 vs 423.5 ± 19.5 ms; P = 0.002), and more leftward P-wave axis. Normal ECG findings were more frequent in ERP athletes (98.3% vs 72.1%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: ERP occurred in 1 in 7 pediatric athletes and clustered with benign ECG adaptations. Boys more often exhibited notched ERP, girls slurred ERP, indicating sex-related morphological differences despite similar prevalence.
Kane et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Pediatric athletes (n=428). Early repolarization pattern (ERP) vs. No ERP was evaluated on Normal ECG findings (p=<0.001). Early repolarization pattern occurred in 14.5% of pediatric athletes and was associated with a higher frequency of normal ECG findings compared to those without ERP (98.3% vs 72.1%; P<0.001).