Heart Rhythms Recorded Among Pupils in Enugu, South East Nigeria

Abstract

Electrocardiography (ECG) is an important non-invasive tool used to detect cardiac arrhythmias. Abnormal, and indeed dangerous, rhythms may exist among apparently healthy school children. Regular cardiovascular screening may help reveal such abnormal rhythms and thus help to prevent unexpected adverse events, including sudden death. The aim of this study was to ascertain the different heart rhythms that occur in pupils in Enugu metropolis. A descriptive cross-sectional research approach was adopted. Three hundred and fourty-one healthy looking pupils between age six and twelve years were recruited. Questionnaires were administered; medical general examination and electrocardiography, using a 12-lead ECG machine, were done on each of the pupils. At the end of the study, no structural evidence of heart disease was identified in any of the pupils. There was normal sinus rhythm in 79.1% of the pupils, however, in 20.9% of them abnormal rhythm was seen. The abnormal rhythms noted were: premature complexes (8.44%), atrial tachycardia (5.64%), first degree atrioventricular block (5.63%), bradycardia (2.82%) and incomplete right bundle block (2.82%). This study showed that among apparently healthy school children, abnormal heart rhythms are present, and these rhythms could be missed in absence of cardiovascular screening. As the reported cases of sudden death during sports in children and young adults keep rising, it is important to encourage routine cardiovascular screening to aid early detection and prevention of possible abnormalities.