Evaluation of QRS Fragmentation and BMI in Obese and Non-Obese Children

Fatemeh Marzban; Nooshin Sadjadei; Fatemeh Dorreh; Seyed Mojtaba Hashemi; Zoha Riahi; Bardia Moghisseh; Yazdan Ghandi

doi:10.18502/jimc.v6i4.13443

Fatemeh Marzban Amir-Kabir Hospital, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran 1. Amir-Kabir Hospital, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Nooshin Sadjadei Department of Pediatrics Gastroenterology, Amir-Kabir Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Fatemeh Dorreh Department of Pediatrics, Amir-Kabir Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Seyed Mojtaba Hashemi Department of Pediatrics Gastroenterology, Amir-Kabir Hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Zoha Riahi Amir-Kabir Hospital, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Bardia Moghisseh Amir-Kabir Hospital, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Yazdan Ghandi Amir-Kabir Hospital, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v6i4.13443

Keywords: Body mass index, Children, ECG, Fragmented QRS, Obesity

Abstract

Background: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiography is a marker of myocardial fibrosis and scar formation. We aimed to investigate whether the fQRS complex in children with and without obesity correlates with Body Mass Index (BMI).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 104 children (5 to 17 years) referred to the pediatric clinic were studied. We divided participants into normal and obese groups. Standard 12-lead ECGs, anthropometric data, and blood pressure were recorded. All ECGs were analyzed blindly by two independent clinicians. Surveyed parameters of the ECG included heart rate, QRS duration, QT interval, presence of Q waves, and fQRS.

Results: Among 104 participants, 52 patients had normal BMI and 52 cases were obese. Systolic blood pressure (p=0.001), pulse pressure (p=0.007), mean blood pressure (p=0.006), and heart rate (p=0.009) were meaningfully different between the two groups. We found fQRS in four children with obesity. The frequency of fQRS was significantly different between children with obesity and children in the control group (p=0.041). We have found that each unit change of weight and BMI at 1.07 and 1.45, respectively, could be useful in prediction of the occurrence of fQRS complex in children.

Conclusion: This study suggested a significant association between the fQRS in children’s ECG and their weight and BMI. It would appear that each unit increasing weight and BMI predicts an increasing the occurrence of fQRS. The ECG may consider using fQRS as a cardiac risk marker in children with obesity.