Arrhythmias in Children: Bradycardia and Tachycardia — Diagnosis and Treatment

The most common form of cardiac arrhythmia in children is sinus tachycardia which can be caused by fever. Bradycardia can occur in children due to a depressed sinus node as is seen in hypoxemia, acidosis, or structural heart disease. A complete heart block is another possible cause of a slow heart rate in children. Patients can present with palpitations, presyncope, syncope, dizziness and confusion. Diagnostic workup should focus on the identification of the exact type of the arrhythmia by performing an electrocardiogram, identifying the etiology, and ordering advanced electrophysiology studies. Treatment should be tailored against the possible etiology of the arrhythmia whenever possible.