Our aim was to determine, using a computer program for measurement and analysis, the effects, if any, of age and gender on the electrocardiographic measurements in a large cohort of Turkish children. We analyzed standard simultaneous 12-lead electrocardiograms from 2241 healthy Turkish children, aged from 1 day to 16 years, to calculate limits of normality of a variety of electrocardiographic measurements for 12 age groups. Clinically significant differences were shown to exist, and the results compared with previously established normal limits. Differences were demonstrated for gender in measurements of both amplitude and duration, particularly in the adolescent period. We have provided tables and figures showing age and gender-dependent means and upper limits of normal electrocardiographic parameters for the important leads.

Subvalvular aortic stenosis accounts for 1-2 % of all congenital heart disease and for 8-20 % of cases of left-ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in children. Recurrence of subaortic stenosis (SAS) is not uncommon after surgical management. This study was performed to investigate the clinical and surgical outcomes and to estimate the predictability of recurrences of SAS. Seventy-nine patients age 3-21 years with SAS between 1994 and 2010 were reviewed. Fifty-one patients had discrete SAS, whereas the remaining 15 patients had fibromuscular ridge-type SAS. Mean follow-up time without surgery was 22 months (range of 1-94). Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of SAS underwent surgery. Recurrence rates were 22.7 % (15 patients), and these patients developed SAS at a mean of 4.7 years follow-up. We performed second surgical membrane resection in only 1 patient. The risk of recurrence of SAS was only linked to higher preoperative LVOT gradient. Twenty-three patients had no aortic regurgitation (AR) at preoperative echocardiography. Of these, 39.1 % had trivial, 8.7 % had mild, and 8.7 % had moderate AR after surgery; there was no significant AR. We conclude that surgical intervention was required most of the time in patients with SAS, and surgical outcomes was excellent even if there were associated cardiac defects. The risk of recurrences was higher, especially in patients with higher initial LVOT gradients, although a second surgery was rarely necessary in these patients.

Arrhythmia and syncope frequency was found to be higher in children with MVP than in the normal population. The risk of vasovagal syncope indicated by a positive tilt test was found to be increased in children with MVP. Therefore, patients and families must be informed about the conditions that may predispose to vasovagal syncope and caution should be recommended in these patients.

Cardiac autonomic function disorder, which is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality, may emerge in the course of type 1 diabetes mellitus. It can be diagnosed on ECG even when the patients are asymptomatic.

Although congenital coronary artery anomalies are seen in 0.6-1 % of adult patients undergoing coronary angiography, the data for the pediatric population are few. This study of 22 children with coronary artery anomalies evaluated them in terms of demographic and clinical features and analyzed their angiographic findings and surgical results. Databases in the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Uludag were searched for all the patients with a diagnosis of congenital coronary artery anomaly who underwent coronary angiography between 1993 and 2013. Patients with coexistent congenital heart disease were excluded from the study. The study noted 22 patients (0.9 %; 10 boys and 11 girls) with coronary artery anomalies. The mean age of these patients was 58.77 ± 52.04 months (range, 1 month-16 years). Coronary arteriovenous fistula (50 %) and anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) (36 %) were the most common anomalies. In addition, the study included one patient with diffuse coronary artery hypoplasia, one patient with muscular bridge, and one patient with left main coronary artery originating from the right aortic sinus valsalva. Of the 11 patients who had coronary atrioventricular fistula, 7 were asymptomatic, whereas 75 % of the patients with ALCAPA syndrome were admitted because of heart failure. Although 13 patients had an exact diagnosis by echocardiography, 50 % of the patients with ALCAPA syndrome had their diagnosis determined by catheter angiography performed because of severe mitral regurgitation or dilated cardiomyopathy. The mortality rate for all the patients was found to be 18.1 %. Eight patients with coronary arteriovenous fistula have been followed up without surgery to the present. In contrast, seven patients with ALCAPA syndrome have undergone surgery, and three have died. Two of these patients died during the postoperative period, and the remaining patient died suddenly during the preoperative period at home. Isolated congenital coronary artery anomalies are very rare in the pediatric population. Although most congenital coronary artery anomalies are clinically silent, they may be associated with severe symptoms in children. Recognition of potentially serious anomalies such as ALCAPA syndrome is mandatory so that early surgical treatment can be prescribed.