16-81: Prevalence of early repolarisation in children

Abstract

Introduction: Prevalence of early repolarisation pattern (ER) is 1 to 13% in adult control populations and is linked to gender, age, ethnicity and sportive activity. Prevalence and parameters of ER in children are unknown. Methods: ECG of 1000 consecutive healthy children (542 males) of various age (birth to 17 to yo) were prospectively collected and analyzed. ER was defined as > 1 mm J point elevation in at least two ECG leads in the inferior or lateral leads. Correlations with age, gender, sportive activity, ethnicity, heart rate and Sokolow index were performed. Results: Prevalence of ER pattern was 23,6% (236 children) (95% IC 21-26.2%). ER was present in 123/542 males (23%) and in 113/458 females (25%) (p = 0,4). Age was not significantky related to ER in univariate analysis, either in children > 3 years (OR 1,033/years, 95% IC 0,988-1,08, p = 0,15) or in younger children < 3 years (OR 0,989/months, 95% IC 0,958-1,022, p = 0,5). ER prevalence was not related to the heart rate. One of four asian children (25%) had ER vs 187/640 caucasians (29%) and 19/41 african children (46%) (p = 0,002). Sportive activity was not significantly related to ER in univariate analysis (OR 1,057/hour, 95% IC 0,97-1,15, p = 0,19). Sokolow index was 29,7 +/- 8,5 mm in children wit ER versus 25,9 +/- 8 mm in children without ER (p < 0,0001) (OR 1,058/mm, 95% IC 1,039-1,077, p<0,0001). In multivariate analysis, in children > 3 years, only ethnicity and a higher Sokolow index were independantly correlated to ER. Only Sokolow was linked to ER in children < 3 years. Conclusion: Prevalence of ER is 23% in children and is linked to a higher Sokolow index and to ethnicity.