Electrocardiographic Findings in Apparently Healthy Adolescents in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, West Africa
P. N. Tabansi *
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
O. Dibua
Department of Neonatology, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, United Kingdom.
B. E. Otaigbe
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) is an inexpensive, quick, non-invasive, widely available and reliable screening tool in the assessment of the electrical activity of the heart, and is vital in the detection of potentially lethal sub-clinical structural or electrophysiological cardiovascular abnormalities. ECG pattern in children have been established in some regions in Nigeria but is however lacking in the Niger-Delta region of Southern Nigeria.
Objective: To determine the ECG pattern of apparently healthy adolescents in the Niger-Delta Region of Southern Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1002 secondary school subjects, aged 10-19 years. The ECG recording was performed using a standard 12 lead, portable digital electrocardiograph.
Results: There were 595 (59.4%) males and 407 (40.6%) females with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The study population had a mean ECG heart rate of 82bpm, PR interval of 0.15 sec, P wave duration of 0.08 sec, QRS duration of 0.08 sec, QTc interval of 0.42 sec, and QRS axis of 58°. The mean heart rate and QTc interval were significantly higher in the females, while the QRS duration was significantly higher in the males. The P wave amplitude in lead II was 1.3 mm, R wave amplitude in V1 and V6 were 4.06 mm and 10.68 mm respectively. The S wave amplitude in V1 and V6 were 11.44 mm and 0.56 mm respectively.
Conclusion: ECG pattern of adolescents in the Niger-Delta region of Southern Nigeria is now established; but shows some differences from the studies in other parts of Nigeria and the world.
Keywords: Electrocardiogram, adolescents, Niger-Delta Region, Southern Nigeria