Electrocardiographic findings in children and adolescents treated with antipsychotics: a cohort study - Takeaway - MDSpire

Electrocardiographic findings in children and adolescents treated with antipsychotics: a cohort study

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  • 1

    Antipsychotic treatment in children and adolescents is associated with a range of potential adverse effects, including cardiovascular issues.

  • 2

    In a cohort of 430 pediatric patients, 45.5% exhibited at least one ECG abnormality, primarily heart rate irregularities.

  • 3

    QTc prolongation was observed in 5.6% of patients, with only 20.8% of these cases being persistent across multiple ECG recordings.

  • 4

    No patients experienced QTc ≥500 ms or significant cardiac events, indicating that most ECG abnormalities were mild and transient.

  • 5

    The findings suggest a selective approach to ECG monitoring in youth on antipsychotics, rather than routine universal screening.

Original Source(s)

Electrocardiographic findings in children and adolescents treated with antipsychotics: a cohort study

  • by Fabio Pettinato, Alice Zanini, Adriana Prato, Federica Fiore, Nicoletta Maugeri, Rita Barone, Renata Rizzo

  • April 20, 2026

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