ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

Cardiac complications are the major cause of mortality in children with chronic renal failure (CRF). Fifty children with CRF (23 female and 27 male; aged 12,3+3,6 years, range 5 to 20 years) were assessed to determine the prevalence of cardiac changes. Complete blood count, 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), telecardiogram, and echocardiography were performed in all children. Eight patients were on hemodialysis, 28 were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and 14 were predialysis patients. Thirty-four children (% 68) had an increased cardiothoracic ratio on radiography. When compared with the control group, patients with CRF had greater QT/QTc intervals and QT/QTc dispersion values. Twenty-two children had left ventricular hypertrophy according to ECG findings. On echocardiography 23 children had left ventricular dilatation and 27 had left ventricular hypertrophy. Abnormal left ventricular systolic function was found in 16 of 50 children. Twelwe children had mitral regurgitation, 9 had tricuspid regurgitation and 3 had aortic regurgitation. Nine children had pericardial effusion. In conclusion, children with CRF have significant cardiac abnormalities that are likely to contribute to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.