Abstract
Background
Whether preterm birth is associated with cardiac conduction or repolarization abnormalities in later life is still poorly explored, with conflicting data on QTc prolongation in former extreme low birth weight (ELBW, <1000 g) infants.
Methods
Twelve lead electrocardiograms (ECG) at rest, collected in the PREMATurity as predictor of children’s Cardiovascular-renal Health (PREMATCH) study in former ELBW cases and term controls during pre-adolescence (8–14 years) were analyzed on corrected QT time (QTc, Bazett) and QT dispersion (QTd). ECG findings were compared between groups (Mann−Whitney), and associations with clinical and biochemical findings were explored (Spearman). In ELBW cases, associations between QTc and perinatal characteristics (at birth, neonatal stay) were explored (Mann−Whitney, Spearman).
Results
QTc and QTd were similar between 93 ELBW cases and 87 controls [409 (range 360–465) versus 409 (337–460); 40 (0–100) versus 39 (0–110)] ms. Age, height, weight, or body mass index were not associated with the QTc interval, while female sex (median difference 11.4 ms) and lower potassium (r = −0.26) were associated with longer QTc interval. We could not observe any significant association between QTc interval and perinatal characteristics.
Conclusions
There were no differences in QTc or QTd between ELBW and term controls in ECGs at rest in pre-adolescents.
Impact
-
This study aimed to assess the differences in QTc and QTd intervals between extreme low birth weight infants (ELBW) and term controls in electrocardiographic measurements at rest during pre-adolescence.
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This analysis confirmed the absence of significant differences in QTc or QTd findings between ELBW cases and term controls, while female sex and lower potassium were associated with a prolonged QTc interval.
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These data suggest that QTc screening strategies—including for pharmacovigilance—should not differentiate between former ELBW cases and term controls.
Clinical trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02147457
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Data availability
The corresponding author can be contacted to share the raw data, if based on a reasonable request and a study protocol.
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Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the nurses working at the examination center (Linda Custers, Marie-Jeanne Jehoul, Daisy Thijs, and Hanne Truyens) and the clerical staff at the Studies Coordinating Centre at time of data acquisition (Vera De Leebeeck and Renilde Wolfs).
Funding
This study was supported by the “Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT)” through the “SAFE-PEDRUG” project (IWT/SBO 130033).
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A.R., J.A.-S. and K.A. conceived and designed the PREMATCH study and obtained the funding. The electrocardiographic findings were assessed on quality by T.S., while T.S., A.R. and K.A. designed and performed the analysis. All authors were involved in the interpretation and drafting of the manuscript, approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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Salaets, T., Raaijmakers, A., Zhang, ZY. et al. QTc intervals are not prolonged in former ELBW infants at pre-adolescent age. Pediatr Res 92, 848–852 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-021-01877-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-021-01877-w
