Cardiac abnormalities in children with neuromuscular diseases

BACKGROUND: TO evaluate cardiac abnormalities in children with different neuromuscular diseases (NMD). PATIENTS AND METHOD: In 40 patients with NMD, cardiac abnormalities were evaluated by cardiac auscultation, chest X-ray, electrocardiography (ECG), ambulatory Holter ECG and Doppler echography. RESULTS: sinus tachycardia, high Ws complex, deep Q waves, repolarization disorders, electrical conduction abnormalities, auricular and ventricular extrasystoles, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, mitral valve prolapse and dilated cardiomyopathy were found. CONCLUSIONS: The association of cardiac abnormalities in children with NMD is frequent. Conventional ECG monitorization, Hotter ECG and echocardiography allow their diagnosis and follow-up.