title: Prevalence of arrhythmias among children below 15 years of age with congenital heart diseases attending Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Uganda, few children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) benefit from early corrective cardiac surgery. These children are at high risk of developing heart failure and electrolyte imbalances; factors which increase their risk of developing arrhythmias. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with arrhythmias among children with congenital heart diseases receiving care at Mulago Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study carried out from August 2013 to March 2014 at Mulago Hospital. Children were consecutively enrolled into the study. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed on 194 children with CHD (age range 10 days-15 years). Data was analysed using SPSS 16.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 194 children studied, 53/194 (27.3 %, 95 % CI 21.0 - 33.6) children had arrhythmias. Of the CHD children, 44/194 (22.7 %, 95 % CI 16.8 - 28.6) had first degree AV block while 9/194 (4.6 %, 95 % CI 1.7 - 7.6) children had either ectopic atrial rhythm, premature atrial contractions, junctional rhythm, complete atrioventricular (AV) dissociation or premature ventricular contractions. Children using digoxin were more likely to have first degree AV block (OR 3.75, 95 % CI 1.60-8.86) while those aged 5 years and below were less likely to have first degree AV block (OR 0.16, 95 % CI 0.07-0.37).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arrhythmias are common among children with CHD receiving care from Mulago Hospital. These are associated with digoxin use, child's age and electrolyte imbalances; factors which can easily be assessed, managed and where possible modified in these children during their care.
authors.affiliation: Child Health and Development Centre, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O Box 6717, Kampala, Uganda. abatte2002@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batte
authors.affiliation: Uganda Heart Institute, P.O. Box 7051, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lwabi
authors.affiliation: Uganda Heart Institute, P.O. Box 7051, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Sulaiman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lubega
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiguli
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Violette
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nabatte
authors.affiliation: Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karamagi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004077:Digoxin / Q000009:adverse effects; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004077:Digoxin
keywords: Arrhythmias; Congenital heart diseases; Electrocardiography