Affiliations: Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics,
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Oommen P. Mathew, M.D., Section of
Neonatology, Medical College of Georgia, 15th Street, BIW 6033, Augusta, GA
30912-3740, USA. Tel.: +1 706 721 2331; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: The primary aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of transient bradyarrhythmias in preterm infants. The secondary aim
was to characterize the non-sinus atrial rhythm. Study design: Cardiorespiratory waveforms in preterm infants with
gestational age ⩽ 32 weeks were acquired on a networked computer. Waveforms
for 24 hours were screened for bradycardia utilizing Neoscan® software.
Each bradycardia event was further reviewed for arrhythmia and classified as
non-sinus atrial, junctional, ventricular, and others. Results: Among the 58 preterm infants studied, 5 showed no transient
bradycardia, 9 showed only sinus bradycardia and 44 exhibited both sinus and
non-sinus bradyarrhythmias. Of the bradyarrhythmia episodes evaluated (n=546),
the majority were classified as non-sinus atrial rhythm (54.2%); junctional
(32.3%), ventricular (1.1%) and others (12.5%) constituted the remaining.
Decreases in P-wave amplitude and PR interval were observed in the majority of
non-sinus atrial bradycardia episodes. More than one type of arrhythmia was
seen in most infants. Conclusion: Non-sinus bradyarrhythmias occur frequently in preterm
infants during transient bradycardia episodes.
