title: QT correction methods in children and adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accurate determination of the QTc interval has become increasingly important in the assessment of a drug's ability to prolong cardiac repolarization. Previous work suggests the most appropriate correction formula for adults is QTc=QT/RR0.40, but little on correction methods for children and adolescents has been published.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, ECG data were obtained from a meta-analysis of seven clinical trials for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involving 2,288 children and adolescents. The most appropriate formula for children and adolescents included in this database was found to be QTc=QT/RR0.38. Adjustments of the correction factor specifically for males and females of different ages also are reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QT correction methods developed for adults do not apply to children. As accurate QTc determination plays a larger role in assessing a drug's potential to retard repolarization, use of age- and gender-specific correction formulas becomes more important.
authors.affiliation: Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, USA. jfwernicke@lily.com
authors.forename: Joachim F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wernicke
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Faries
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Breitung
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Girod
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants