Comparative study of the electrocardiograms of healthy fullterm and premature newborns.

The electrocardiograms of 421 healthy fullterm and premature newborns, recorded on the fifth day of life, were evaluated for possible systematic differences related to gestational age. All newborns were appropriate for gestational age and were divided into four groups according to birthweight. As birthweight increased, we noted: (a) a progressive rightward shifting of the QRS axis in the frontal plane; (b) an increase in the amplitude mainly of the precordial R and S waves reflecting the right ventricle and both ventricles combined, whereas a less significant increase or even a decrease was noted in the R and S waves reflecting the left ventricle; (c) a more frequent occurrence of diphasic and positive T waves in the right precordial leads; and (d) a prolongation in the duration of the P wave and the QRS complex. These findings reflect both an increase in total myocardial mass as well as a progressive right ventricular predominance, as birthweight or gestational age increases. Practical implications for electrocardiographic identification of cardiac hypertrophy in newborns of different gestational age are discussed.

Arterial blood pressure serum lipids and cardiovascular complications in families of hypertensive children.

The arterial blood pressure (B.P.), the cardiovascular complications and the type of hyperlipoproteinemia were studied in 98 families of hypertensive children (group A) and in 100 families of normotensive children (group B). In group A, hypertension was found in 27% of the parents and 47.4% of grandparents, whereas in group B in 7.5% and 22.5% respectively. In siblings of hypertensive children hypertension was found in 13.5% as apposed to 5.4% of those of normotensive children. Cardiovascular complications were recorded in 27.5% in the parents and grandparents of group A and in 12% in group B. Hyperlipoproteinemia with obvious preponderance of type II (IIa, IIb) and IV was found in 58.5% of parents in group A and 21.1% in group B.

Blood pressure in children and adolescents.

Blood pressure (BP) levels were recorded in 2223 male and 2205 female children and adolescents ranging in age from 7 to 18 years. In addition, 521 male adults (soldiers) ranging in age from 21 to 25 years were included in the study. Children and adolescents who participated in the survey were selected at random the Elementary and High Schools. The results of the study showed that a gradual increase occurred in the systolic, as well as in the diastolic component of blood pressure from 7 to 18 years of age. By contrast, there was no increase with age in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the young male adult subjects, who had BP measurements comparable to those observed in children. A child was characterized as hypertensive according to the criteria outlined by Master et al. Children with BP between the 90th and the 95th percentile were considered as suspect hypertensive, whereas those with BP exceeding the 95th percentile were considered definitely hypertensive. The overall incidence of hypertension in children in this survey was 3.1%.