Evaluation of Electrocardiographic Markers for the Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmia in Children with Obesity

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the electrocardiographic markers used in the risk assessment of cardiac arrhythmia in children with obesity. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 60 children aged 3-17 years with exogenous obesity and 60 age and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Demographic data, assessment of atrial and ventricular arrhythmia risk markers in electrocardiography, and standard echocardiography measurements were performed. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. Results: The mean ages of the study and control groups were 11.51±3.48 years and 10.74±3.72 years, respectively. Both groups had 30 males and 30 females. The study group had significantly higher average mean body mass index (BMI) compared to the control group. In electrocardiographic examinations, P-wave dispersion, QT dispersion (QTd), corrected QTd (QTcd), Tpeak-Tend (Tp-e), Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc values were significantly higher in the obese group compared to the control group. In echocardiographic examinations, the dimensions of the heart chambers and vascular structure and wall thicknesses were found to be significantly higher in those children with obesity. Conclusion: The electrocardiographic risk markers used to predict cardiac arrhythmias were found to be increased in those children with obesity. This may suggest that increased body weight and adiposity may have unfavorable effects on the cardiac conduction system.