FREQUENCY AND CARE OF ASYMPTOMATIC INFANTS WITH THE WOLFF-PARKINSON-WHITE ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC PATTERN

Between January 1985 and February 1989 a standard 12-lead ECG was recorded in 3490 healthy unselected newborn infants, in order to study their cardiac rhythm. This study was performed during the first week of life. A Wolff-Parkinson-White electrocardiographic pattern (WPW) was found in three healthy full-term infants. The prevalence of WPW outlined in our study (0,85 parts per thousand) is similar to that reported from other Authors on unselected series of newborn infants. Furthermore, the predominance of type A WPW pattern agrees with the previous reports in neonates without congenital heart disease. During the follow-up no patient exhibited evidence of tachyarrhythmias. The preexcitation failed to be demonstrated respectively at 12 and at 9 months of age in two subjects, whereas it was still found at 5.6 years in remnant one. Our experience suggests that WPW, if asymptomatic, does not need any treatment and only an attentive follow-up by standard ECG and 24-hours ECG recordings is indicated.