Standard 12 Lead and 24 hour holter electrocardiographic observation in a biracial group of perinatally asphyxiated newborns

SI Omokhodion, F Jaiyesimi, TG Losekoot

Abstract


Aim: To compare the cardiovascular responses to perinatal stress between two ethnic groups of newborns.


Study population: 23 Nigerians and 14 Dutch perinally asphyxiated newborns together with their respective control of 12 healthy Nigerian and 16 Dutch newborns.


Method: The study subjects and their controls were evaluated with standard 12-lead and 24-hour Holter electrocardiographic recordings within 36 hours of postnatal life.


Results: Rhythm, rate, P-wave, P-R interval and QRS duration were normal in study subjects and their respective controls on standard ECG. The prevalence of ST-segment depression in the mid-precordial lead V4 was significantly higher in the asphyxiated Nigerian infants (78%) than in the controls (42%); p < 0.05. Similarly, its prevalence in the Dutch infants (50%) was significanly different from the zero prevalence in the Dutch controls; p

Full Text:
EMAIL FREE FULL TEXT
DOWNLOAD FREE FULL TEXT

West African Journal of Medicine.   ISSN: 0189-160X