Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in children: the role of infectious diseases and its relationship to serum enzyme.

The records of 28 children whose first episode of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia occurred before 12 years (median age 10 months) were reviewed. There were 17 males and 11 females. In 17 cases the first attack occurred before the first year and in 11 of these it occurred after the first year. One case had congenital heart disease (ASD). The WPW syndrome was diagnosed in 3 cases. When first seen, most of the infants presented with signs of incipient or manifest congestive heart failure. In almost nine-tenth of cases there was an increased of serum enzymes (lactic dehydrogenase, creatine-phosphokinase and glutamic oxaloaccetic transaminase. Digitals was effective against congestive heart failure and when continued, might prevent failure during subsequent attacks. Antiarrhythmic agents other than digitals were not used. It is recommended to continue digitalis treatment for at least one year in all patients with SVT, whether or not the first episode terminated spontaneously.