Each parent should take care of the health of their child from the very first days of life, which is why even the most minor changes and disturbances in the baby’s well-being should cause concern, especially if they are associated with the work of the heart muscle. Serious cardiological disorders are not as common as sinus arrhythmia in a child. This is a fairly common disease, so it is important to understand how dangerous it is.
To determine the main cause of the pathology, you need to see a doctor if the first signs appear for diagnosis and subsequent comprehensive treatment.
What is the problem
Many parents are interested in what the sinus arrhythmia in a child means and how it manifests itself. This is the collective name of various pathological conditions that are characterized by a violation of normal heart rhythm. This happens as a result of a malfunction in the functioning of some body systems.
This is a kind of network consisting of many nodes along which nerve impulses are transmitted, which provoke a contraction of the heart muscle. If changes of a pathological nature occur, then there is a change in heart rhythm.
Sinus arrhythmia of the heart in a child is no different from an adult. If symptoms occur, it is very important to immediately determine the causes of the changes, since in some cases arrhythmia is considered quite normal and is in no way associated with serious diseases or disorders.
Often, special treatment is not required, you just need to monitor the condition of the child in order to notice the occurrence of complications in a timely manner. Arrhythmia can be constant or occur in the form of attacks of palpitations.
Causes of occurrence
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the cause of sinus arrhythmia in a child, since it is initially necessary to eliminate the provoking factor. Pathological heartbeat disorders that go beyond the norm, often do not refer to an independent disease, but are considered a sign of a more dangerous disease. First of all, the doctor must conduct a comprehensive examination to determine possible cardiological pathologies, which include:
- congenital or acquired defects;
- myocarditis;
- heart injury with hemorrhage;
- pericarditis;
- malignant neoplasms of the heart;
- vegetovascular dystonia.
In addition, it is worth noting that the causes of sinus arrhythmia in a child depend largely on the type of disease. In particular, the respiratory form is formed as a result of:
- stress, fear;
- excessive physical exertion;
- dehydration;
- hypothermia.
In addition, arrhythmia can be associated with diseases of other organs and systems. In particular, it is necessary to conduct an examination of the respiratory and endocrine systems, as well as measure the level of hormones in the body. Often, the causes of the formation of pathology can be hidden in the course of infectious diseases, such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, intestinal infection. Do not rule out the pathological course of pregnancy or premature birth.
Main types
The heart rate is characterized by the main types of sinus arrhythmia in a child. There is a general norm of the number of palpitations, deviation from which determines the main variety of the disease. In particular, they distinguish such as:
- tachycardia;
- bradycardia;
- extrasystole.
Tachycardia is an increase in the number of heart contractions. A similar condition is diagnosed at a pulse rate of more than 80 beats per minute. Often it occurs against a background of diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as impaired functioning of the respiratory and circulatory organs. The first sign is a rapid heartbeat, even at rest.
The danger of this condition is inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle. As a result of this, there are signs such as a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath, depression, chills. For the treatment, it is necessary to establish the cause that triggered the occurrence of the violation.
Bradycardia is characterized by a slow heart rate and is diagnosed with a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute. A similar condition often occurs in children who are professionally involved in sports. For them, this is considered the norm. Taking certain medications can stimulate heart rate acceleration. In particular, the doctor may prescribe cardiac glycosides or sympatholytics. In adolescents, bradycardia can occur against a background of thyroid dysfunction.
Among the main signs, dizziness, weakness, and headaches can be distinguished. Often, bradycardia goes away on its own when the child reaches a certain age.
Extrasystole is characterized by the occurrence of extraordinary contractions of the myocardium, which are often functional in nature. The cause may be vegetative-vascular dystonia, emotional overstrain, as well as diseases of the endocrine system.
What are the forms
Doctors distinguish several main forms of pathology. With a deviation from the norm, a child's sinus arrhythmia can be:
- respiratory
- non-respiratory
- organic.
In many ways, its shape is associated with the main cause of occurrence. The respiratory form negatively affects the pumping of blood and is characterized by a violation of the functions of the respiratory system. This type of arrhythmia does not carry any danger and does not require special treatment. The main reason is the immaturity of the nervous system. Respiratory type of pathology is often observed in children who:
- born prematurely;
- have obesity;
- rickets;
- high pressure;
- with intensive growth at the age of 6-9 years.
When the nervous system is finally formed, such a violation can go away on its own. The non-respiratory form generally occurs completely unexpectedly and can occur in the form of seizures or be on an ongoing basis. The frequency of changes in heart rate is completely different. They can occur once a year or several times a day. Such a violation is mainly accompanied by diseases that occur along with arrhythmia. These can be diseases of the cardiovascular system, thyroid gland, or infectious lesions. For treatment, it is necessary to eliminate the provoking factor.
The organic form of arrhythmia is considered the most dangerous for the child. It means that the pathology has affected the system that conducts impulses, or there are serious heart problems. It proceeds with severe symptoms of impaired functioning of the heart muscle. In this case, you need to conduct a comprehensive examination and perform all the appointments of a doctor.
Severity
The difference in deviations from the norm determines the severity of sinus arrhythmia in the child. In particular, it may be moderate or severe. When a moderate sinus arrhythmia occurs, the child does not need to worry, since the symptoms are practically not manifested and do not cause any discomfort to the baby. It is possible to determine the presence of the disease only during a routine examination on an ECG. Often, specialized treatment is not required.
Severe sinus arrhythmia in a child cannot be isolated. Basically, it occurs along with diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Severe sinus arrhythmia in a child is necessarily subject to special treatment.
The main symptoms
Mild sinus arrhythmia in a child is often diagnosed late. Basically, it is detected during a routine inspection. However, there are characteristic signs by which you can determine the occurring disturbance of the heartbeat in the baby. The main symptoms should include such signs as:
- causeless crying;
- shortness of breath after exercise;
- excessive sweating;
- weakness and lethargy;
- pallor of the skin and blue lips;
- loss of appetite;
- intermittent sleep.
Symptoms of sinus arrhythmia in a child of 6 years and at an older age manifest as:
- attacks of weakness;
- interruptions in the work of the heart;
- shortness of breath after exercise;
- fainting;
- fatigue;
- stitching pains in the sternum.
All these signs should not be ignored. To determine the root cause of the violation, you need to conduct a comprehensive study and determine a plan for further action.
Diagnostics
If there is a suspicion of a sinus arrhythmia, it is necessary to conduct an appropriate examination. The first sign is an increase in heart rate or its decrease compared with normal rates for a certain age. Irregular heartbeats may also occur.
The respiratory sinus arrhythmia in the child is very well traced on the ECG, however, to make the correct diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is required. Initially, an external examination of the sternum is carried out, and the history of the course of the disease is also clarified.
When conducting an ultrasound of the heart, a vertical position of sinus arrhythmia in a child is often noted. If necessary, daily monitoring is prescribed. Hidden rhythm and conduction disturbances allow you to detect special tests with a load. Sinus arrhythmia in a child on an ECG is clearly visible. Indicators are taken lying, standing, and after exercise. As a result of this, heart rhythm disturbance can be determined.
Also, in some cases, the doctor prescribes special tests using potassium and atropine. If you suspect a parallel course of pathologies of the nervous system, radiography, rheoencephalography, and a neurologist consultation are indicated.
Treatment features
With sinus arrhythmia in a child of 7 years, it is necessary to first determine the form of the course of the disease. If a respiratory or functional form is diagnosed, then no special therapy is required. However, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of organic disorders, as well as properly organize classes and relaxation. It is necessary to allocate time for regular physical activity and good sleep.
If an organic form of arrhythmia has been diagnosed, conservative therapy or surgery is required. Initially, it is necessary to eliminate the factors that provoke a violation of the heart rhythm, and then it is required:
- normalization of electrolyte balance;
- the use of antiarrhythmic drugs;
- acceleration of heart metabolism.
If drug therapy does not bring the desired result, then surgery is performed. For maximum results, the use of traditional medicine is included in the general therapeutic course. Often for this, decoctions of herbs are used that have a good effect on the cardiovascular system.
Medications
If sinus arrhythmia was determined by the results of an ECG, the pediatrician sends the child to a cardiologist. When identifying a pathology of a non-respiratory type, treatment implies the elimination of cardiac problems that provoked the violation. Therapeutic measures may include:
- a course of antibacterial therapy;
- anti-tumor drugs;
- means for stopping heart failure;
- antiarrhythmic therapy.
Signs of moderate and respiratory arrhythmias can be stopped with natural sedatives. With severe sinus arrhythmia, drugs such as:
- antiarrhythmic drugs - Obzidan, Verapamil;
- metabolic restoring agents - Riboxin, Cocarboxylase;
- medicines to normalize the electrolyte balance - “Panagin”, “Asparkam”, “Potassium orotate”.
Extrasystoles generally do not require special treatment, however, a child with frequent seizures should always be under the supervision of a doctor.
Folk remedies
Herbs and healing herbs are used in combination with medications or separately. To normalize the heart rate, you need to use folk recipes. Yarrow juice, which must first be diluted with water, has a good effect. The child needs to take this infusion throughout the day.
You can take a decoction of hawthorn flowers, which you need to insist on a water bath. It must be given to children before eating. As a sedative collection and a means of normalizing the heart rhythm, you need to use a decoction of medicinal herbs, in particular, such as:
- valerian;
- mint;
- calendula;
- St. John's wort
You can cook one-component infusions or brew them in the complex. A positive effect on the functioning of the heart muscle is a mixture of walnut kernels, honey, dried apricots, raisins and lemon juice. All solid ingredients must be chopped in a meat grinder, then mixed with lemon juice and honey, placed in a glass container and put in the refrigerator. Every day you need to drink at least 1 glass of grape or pear juice.
Particular attention should be paid to the diet. There should not be cholesterol-rich foods in your diet, and you should also limit your intake of fatty, fried, smoked and salty foods. In addition, it is not recommended to consume hot spices, which increase the activity of nerve fibers. The child should definitely control the weight, and also strictly observe the sleep mode.
Physical activity is important. It is worth remembering that the load should be gentle, but sufficient to stimulate the microcirculation of the blood.
Possible complications
It is very important to know what is dangerous sinus arrhythmia in a child, so that the consequences of the course of the disease can be prevented. Often, the violation goes away on its own, and with timely treatment, there are absolutely no complications. However, neglected cases threaten the occurrence of heart failure, as a result of which the child may be disabled.
The worst consequences that complex forms of arrhythmia lead to are considered as asystole, as well as fibrillation. Asystole is a condition in which different parts of the heart muscle cease to contract normally, and the blood circulation process stops.
Fibrillation is a condition of the heart muscle when individual fibers begin to contract in an accelerated mode, disrupting the heart rhythm and functioning of this organ. In such cases, a fatal outcome is inevitable.
Preventative measures
To reduce the risk of sinus arrhythmia, it is necessary to ensure a healthy lifestyle for the child. It is important to strictly observe the regime of the day, which is why you need to teach your child to fall asleep at the same time. Food should be fractional, in small portions. You should give preference to plant foods and introduce products that positively affect the functioning of the heart muscle into the diet. Light fractional nutrition will help prevent obesity.
Nervous breakdowns are unacceptable, it is important to explain to the baby how to calm down on his own. If necessary, give sedatives or tincture of motherwort. It is important to attend medical examinations in a timely manner.