Is it dangerous if a baby's bradycardia is detected?

Bradycardia in a child affects the quality of life of his and his parents, prevents the baby from developing normally and communicating with other children. Observation with a cardiologist is necessary. In time, not detected disease, if it is in serious form, is fraught with a fatal outcome.

Symptoms and causes

Bradycardia is characterized by a decreased heart rate. Throughout life, the number of beats per minute varies. For babies, the normal frequency of reduction is 100-140 beats per minute, after a year the rhythm of the heart changes, and it is normal to take up to 120 strokes per minute. By the age of 3, normal heartbeats are about 115 beats per minute, and in adolescence no more than 100. There are individual features of the heart rhythm, depending on the constitution, weight and childlike temperament.

Most often, the bradycardia of a child occurs in connection with the pathology of the myocardium, because of which the tone of the vagus nerve is significantly increased . In most cases, the impulse is impaired in this disease by a sinus node - this kind of disease is called sinus bradycardia.

There is another type of disease - heterotropic, in which the conductive system of the myocardium is disturbed. In children, it is rare.

Moderate bradycardia in children can be both congenital and acquired. It can appear for a short period in the cold season, with long walks. Heart rhythm with this form of the disease slows down on exhalation.

The disease may appear :

• During the disturbance of cerebral circulation in infants and in the intrauterine period in the presence of hypoxia;
• Because of congenital heart disease;
• With diseases of the nervous system and severe hypothermia;
• As an allergic reaction to intoxication with the use of drugs or substances that affect the activity of the cardiovascular system;
• As a consequence of the transmitted infections.

Bradycardia in a child in adolescence is sometimes found during intense growth. Adolescents are susceptible to neuroses, mood swings, restructuring of the endocrine system does not always keep up with the increase in internal organs. Violated in the body metabolic processes, and the consequence is a slowing of the heart rate.

Symptomatology of the disease :

• fast fatiguability;
• Inability to concentrate attention;
• Frequent syncope;
• Shortness of breath with simple physical effort;
• Poor appetite, general lethargy;
• Pressure jumps;
• The sternum may experience periodic pain.

Treatment of bradycardia

If bradycardia is detected in a child, it is first necessary to determine its cause and the stage of the disease. Drug therapy in each case is selected individually.

Congenital bradycardia, if surgery is not required, is most often corrected by substances normalizing oxygen exchange.

As special periods of reconstructing an organism the preschooler allocates time from 3 to 5 years. This period is the first period of active development of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Bradycardia in a child of 3 years can arise due to the formation of deep breathing. A similar manifestation of the disease is considered physiological and does not require drug therapy. It is enough to create comfortable conditions for the child and relieve nervous tension.

The same advice can be given in the treatment of symptomatic bradycardia in adolescents. Most often, no treatment is required, the child outgrows himself. If, within 2 years, the body has not recovered from hormonal adjustment, then a cardiologist needs treatment.