The spectrum of cardiac rate and rhythm in normal newborns

Summary

The distribution and variation of cardiac rate and rhythm in normal neonates has previously received little attention. This has made clinical assessment of dysrhythmia in newborns difficult. We therefore performed continuous 24-hour electrocardiography in 29 normal newborn subjects (age range, 1 to 6 days; mean, 3.5 days). The ECG tapes were then analysed in detail to define the normal range of cardiac rate, conduction intervals, and rhythm during waking and sleeping periods.

Maximum sinus rate (awake) ranged from 150 to 222 beats per minute (mean, 192±16 [SD]), and minimum rate (awake) from 78 to 140 beats per minute (mean, 107±15). During sleep, the maximum rate ranged from 125 to 210 (mean, 168±23) and the minimum from 72 to 120 beats per minute (mean, 92±11). The maximum variation in rate for any individual during the 24-hour period ranged from 73 to 134 beats per minute (mean, 100±17). Sinus rhythm predominated with mild irregularity occurring episodically in 24 and moderate irregularity in 4 infants. An isolated atrial premature beat was present in 2 subjects, and an atrioventricular (AV) junctional escape rhythm occurred in one other after a sinus pause of 840 msec. Ventricular premature beats or AV conduction abnormalities were not observed. The corrected QT interval (QTc) ranged from 0.298 to 0.514 sec (mean, 0.390±0.026). The maximum variation in QTc over 24 hours ranged from 0.052 to 0.160 sec (mean, 0.097±0.028).

We conclude that cardiac rhythm and conduction appear more stable in normal newborns than in older normal subjects and that bradycardia, conduction defects, and ventricular ectopy of the type recently reported in young normal adults seem to be more uncommon in the neonatal period.