Presenter Status
Student
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Dr. Mark Gelatt
Start Date
12-5-2025 11:30 AM
End Date
12-5-2025 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Background: Utilization of Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening in pediatric athletes remains controversial. The American Heart Association (AHA) hasn't supported the use of mandatory ECG screening for pediatric sports evaluations. The financial burden universal ECG screening in pediatric athletes poses on the healthcare system has supported that screening may not be justified given the low incidence of significant cardiac disease.
Objectives/Goal: This study aimed to examine the incidence, type of ECG abnormalities, and associated risk factors in healthy pediatric athletes.
Methods/Design: A single center retrospective cohort study was conducted on a local male youth competitive soccer program, ages 11-18. Exempt status was approved by the local Institutional Review Board. Data was obtained from prior physical exam evaluation forms and ECGs. The primary outcome was incidence of ECG abnormalities. The secondary outcomes were recurrence and type of ECG abnormalities. Covariables were age, race, family history, and current medications. SAS was used for analysis.
Results: There was a total of 367 ECGs reviewed from 2021-2024, of which 68(18.5%) had at least one abnormality. 182 unique athletes were screened. A high proportion of multi-racial and African American athletes had ECG abnormalities (p-value 0.02). 31(17%) athletes at initial screening were found to have at least one ECG abnormality based on standard guidelines: 19(61.29%) left ventricular hypertrophy, 6(19.35%) right axis deviation, 4(12.90%) left axis deviation, 1(3.23%) right bundle branch block, 1(3.23%) supraventricular ectopy, and 1(3.23%) 1st degree atrioventricular block. There were 92 athletes with multiple years of data; 16(17%) had no abnormality the first year, but had an abnormality at a follow up screening, 8(9%) had an abnormality in the first year but not in subsequent years. Only 4 subjects (4%) had abnormalities reported every year.
Conclusions: In our sample of healthy pediatric athletes, ECG abnormality incidence was minimal. There were no significant cardiac findings noted after further evaluation on any of the athletes with an abnormal ECG finding
Key Words: ECG, Athletes, Screening, Pediatrics
Assessing ECG Abnormalities in Pediatric Athletes: A Retrospective Study on Incidence and Implications for Screening Protocols
Background: Utilization of Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening in pediatric athletes remains controversial. The American Heart Association (AHA) hasn't supported the use of mandatory ECG screening for pediatric sports evaluations. The financial burden universal ECG screening in pediatric athletes poses on the healthcare system has supported that screening may not be justified given the low incidence of significant cardiac disease.
Objectives/Goal: This study aimed to examine the incidence, type of ECG abnormalities, and associated risk factors in healthy pediatric athletes.
Methods/Design: A single center retrospective cohort study was conducted on a local male youth competitive soccer program, ages 11-18. Exempt status was approved by the local Institutional Review Board. Data was obtained from prior physical exam evaluation forms and ECGs. The primary outcome was incidence of ECG abnormalities. The secondary outcomes were recurrence and type of ECG abnormalities. Covariables were age, race, family history, and current medications. SAS was used for analysis.
Results: There was a total of 367 ECGs reviewed from 2021-2024, of which 68(18.5%) had at least one abnormality. 182 unique athletes were screened. A high proportion of multi-racial and African American athletes had ECG abnormalities (p-value 0.02). 31(17%) athletes at initial screening were found to have at least one ECG abnormality based on standard guidelines: 19(61.29%) left ventricular hypertrophy, 6(19.35%) right axis deviation, 4(12.90%) left axis deviation, 1(3.23%) right bundle branch block, 1(3.23%) supraventricular ectopy, and 1(3.23%) 1st degree atrioventricular block. There were 92 athletes with multiple years of data; 16(17%) had no abnormality the first year, but had an abnormality at a follow up screening, 8(9%) had an abnormality in the first year but not in subsequent years. Only 4 subjects (4%) had abnormalities reported every year.
Conclusions: In our sample of healthy pediatric athletes, ECG abnormality incidence was minimal. There were no significant cardiac findings noted after further evaluation on any of the athletes with an abnormal ECG finding
Key Words: ECG, Athletes, Screening, Pediatrics
