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What Causes Heart Palpitations In A Child?
Question: Hi dr. My 11 month old daughter has been giving me major problems to feed since birth (wouldn't take the breast, pulls off bottle, seems uncomfortable while drinking, takes frequent breaks) I've noticed that her heart also races while drinking, she falls asleep on the bottle and she sometimes sweats slightly from the head while feeding/feels clammy at times. I read that this could mean she has a congenital heart defect. I consulted a pediatric cardiologist who performed an ECG and an echocardiogram. Both came back normal. I am wondering if those are the best tests to diagnose a heart condition in infants? I feel like deep down maybe there is something wrong but these results came back normal. Wouldn't it make sense to have the ECG performed while she is feeding (and her heart is racing) to get a more accurate assssment?
Brief Answer:
I think, it's sufficient to rule out heart disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I think there is no need of further test.
Now, these symptoms raise the possibility of heart disease, but are not specific of heart disease in children. They can be present in otherwise normal babies. Normal echo will rule out heart disease, because by these symptoms we suspect congenital structural heart disease, not any arrhythmia, which can be ruled out by normal echo. ECG during breast feeding, means baby is having abnormalities in heart rhythm which occurs only during breast feeding, which we are not really suspecting in the baby. Normally also heart rate may rise to some extent in baby. In age group, 6-12 months heart rate is between 80-140 per minute. Avoid formula milk that contains Omega 3, 6, 9 as it may also have side effects.
If problem is significant, you can get baby examined once from local pediatrician.
Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I think, it's sufficient to rule out heart disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I think there is no need of further test.
Now, these symptoms raise the possibility of heart disease, but are not specific of heart disease in children. They can be present in otherwise normal babies. Normal echo will rule out heart disease, because by these symptoms we suspect congenital structural heart disease, not any arrhythmia, which can be ruled out by normal echo. ECG during breast feeding, means baby is having abnormalities in heart rhythm which occurs only during breast feeding, which we are not really suspecting in the baby. Normally also heart rate may rise to some extent in baby. In age group, 6-12 months heart rate is between 80-140 per minute. Avoid formula milk that contains Omega 3, 6, 9 as it may also have side effects.
If problem is significant, you can get baby examined once from local pediatrician.
Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I just checked and her pulse Is 193 while bottle feeding. So there is no other testing that needs to be done to rule out a heart condition?
Brief Answer:
She should get oxygen saturation and possibly repeat echo.
Detailed Answer:
ya, 193 is rare to reach in this age group.
First your doubts of ecg during feeding, since heart rate rises only during feeling that means it's not arrhythmia, but it's a sinus tachycardia so ecg will not provide any new information other that what we get on manual counting, however it will help to confirm the high rate.
Secondly, regarding alternative tests, best test to confirm congenital heart disease is catheterization studies, however these tests are invasive and not indicated at this stage. Instead i would advise you to buy one pulse oximeter device and you need to put it on child's finger, which will give childs oxygen level and pulse rate. So in that if oxygen level is low and pulse is high, then we will go ahead with more test.
Considering the echo was normal, we should suspect other problem like respiratory illness which can also cause similar symptoms.
In a nutshell, checking oxygen level, reconfirming high pulse rate, probably a repeat echo as sometimes some minor things could be missed on echo if not suspected, ruling out respiratory problems with the help of pediatrician will be a appropriate next steps.
She should get oxygen saturation and possibly repeat echo.
Detailed Answer:
ya, 193 is rare to reach in this age group.
First your doubts of ecg during feeding, since heart rate rises only during feeling that means it's not arrhythmia, but it's a sinus tachycardia so ecg will not provide any new information other that what we get on manual counting, however it will help to confirm the high rate.
Secondly, regarding alternative tests, best test to confirm congenital heart disease is catheterization studies, however these tests are invasive and not indicated at this stage. Instead i would advise you to buy one pulse oximeter device and you need to put it on child's finger, which will give childs oxygen level and pulse rate. So in that if oxygen level is low and pulse is high, then we will go ahead with more test.
Considering the echo was normal, we should suspect other problem like respiratory illness which can also cause similar symptoms.
In a nutshell, checking oxygen level, reconfirming high pulse rate, probably a repeat echo as sometimes some minor things could be missed on echo if not suspected, ruling out respiratory problems with the help of pediatrician will be a appropriate next steps.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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