Prolonged Qt interval on a baby? Help, please!

I have a baby girl about 3 months of age who was born premature at 33 weeks gestation. We spent the first weeks of her life at our local NICU were they also did an ECG at 3 weeks of age. They told me her Qtc was about 470, bmp about 120.They started her on propralin and did a holter. During the holter monitoring her Qtc varied from 410 to about 480. Qtc was 410 when her heart rate was at the lowest, about 80 bmp. We continued on propralin after we got home from NICU.

Today at 3 months of age we had an apointment at our hospital where they again took ECG that showed QTc being 450. I have the ECG infront of me that says bmp 140, QT/QTC 310/450. I have read a lot about prolonged Qt interval and understood that about 450 QTC for a child isn't that prolonged?! I asked my doctor if the medication really is neccesary, since there is NO family history of LQTS or any of the symptoms associated to it and since the QTc has decreased from previous... but the doctor told me that we should continue on meds until my daughter is old enough to have a stress ECG done. This sounds a bit weird so I'm asking if anyone can give me any advice on what to do?!

[itdood]

I looked around a bit because I'm not too up on pediatric lqtc.  CHOP has some good info on diagnosing and treating.  There's more to it than just evaluating the corrected QT interval.   I don't think you mentioned any other issues that might be present like T wave abnormalities?  From what I read she does seem to be borderline on the QTC range but perhaps there is something else they are seeing on ecg that added weight?

[Franziine]

Thanks for answer. No, there is noting else on ecg that adds weight. I have asked about it and the answer was no there isn't.

We did another holter and I just got the answers today saying that now her QTc on holter was on average less then 400 so perfectly normal. Have to get a second opinion asap.

[spade22]

I suggest you contact the SADS foundation and get a recommendation for an EP that is an expert in LQTS - i agree that you need a second opinion and this is who you need your second opinion from (many doctors without much knowledge/experience of LQTS  tend to either over or under diagnose The condition).

Was your daughter on any Qtc prolonging medications when her QTc was prolonged?

Have you and your daughters father had your QTc intervals measured?  If not, you should have this done ASAP - this will help shed light on the situation and will be recommended by a person with knowledge in this field.

[Franziine]

The problem is that we live in Europe and we have no specialists here at least not for children!

Well my daughter had just recovered from sepsis the time QTc was prolonged, but it had been a few days since the last antibiotic, could it still had some effect on QTc? Can't remember what antibiotics she had, but there were at least 3 different kind, have to look up the names when I find the papers.

Yes, me and her father have had our QTc intervals measured and they were both normal.