The prognostic significance of the QRS amplitudes of electrocardiogram in kwashiorkor

ABSTRACT

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed on 52 children with kwashiorkor and 52 age-and sex-matched controls. Heart rates were higher (p0.05) and QTc intervals longer (p0.05) in patients with kwashiorkor than in the controls. The QRS amplitude in all the leads in patients with kwashiorkor was smaller (p0.05) than those of the controls. The QRS amplitudes in the survivors were significantly wider (p0.05) controls. The QRS amplitudes in the survivors were significantly wider (p0.05) than in those of the patients who died. Average QRS amplitude of less than 5mm in the standard limb leads and less than 10mm in the chest leads indicated poor prognosis