Clinical Profile and Long-Term Follow-Up of Children with Brugada Syndrome

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a rare channelopathy associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD). Although outcome data of adult cohorts are well known, information on children are lacking. The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical profile, treatment approach and long-term outcome of children affected with BrS. After a systematic review of the literature compiled from a thorough database search (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Libary, Cinahl), data from a total of 4 studies which included 262 BrS patients were identified. The mean age of patients was 12.1 ± 5.5, 53.8% males and 19.8% spontaneous BrS type I. 80.2% of patients presented BrS ECG I after receiving sodium channel blockers. 76% of these patients were asymptomatic while only 17.9% suffered from recurrent syncope. Around 1.5% of the patients were admitted due to aborted SCD, and 3% suffered from atrial arrhythmias. Electrophysiological work-up was performed in 132 patients. Induction of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation using programmed ventricular stimulation was inducible in 16 patients. 56 children received an ICD. 11 patients received quinidine. An electrical storm was documented in 1 patient. Appropriate shocks occured in 16% of the patients over a median follow-up period of 62.2 (54–64). ICD-related complications were observed in 11 patients (19.6%) with a predominance of inappropriate shocks and lead failure and/or fracture. Although BrS in the childhood is rare, diagnosis and management continues to be challenging. ICD therapy is an effective therapy in high-risk children with BrS, however, with relevant ICD-related complications.