Computer analysis of changes in frank vectorcardiograms of 666 normal infants in the first 72 hours of life.

Frank vectorcardiograms (VCGs) were collected on magnetic tape for 666 normal newborn infants at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours after birth and analyzed by computers. The final total included 1,337 VCGs for white babies and 413 for blacks. No previous report has been made for the normal neonate with such a large sample, and no previous substantiation exists of possible age or sex differences at this early age. This study establishes a statistically significant change in vectorcardiographic patterns over the first three days, specifically in the measurements P duration, QRS duration, maximal spatial QRS amplitude, S in lead x, and T in lead z, as well as for several time-normalized QRS vectors. (P less than or equal to .005.) Racial differences were significant for T waves in lead z. This study supports the use of vectorcardiographic standards sensitive to the age of the newborn as well as to race.

[1]  R E Smith,et al.  Computer interpretation of Frank vectorcardiogram in normal infant: Longitudinal and cross-sectional observations from birth to 2 years of age. , 1975, Journal of electrocardiology.

[2]  B. Gasul,et al.  EVOLUTION OF THE FRANK VECTORCARDIOGRAM IN NORMAL INFANTS. , 1964, The American journal of cardiology.

[3]  O. H. Schmitt,et al.  Report of committee on electrocardiography, American Heart Association. Recommendations for standardization of leads and of specifications for instruments in electrocardiography and vectorcardiography. , 1967, Circulation.

[4]  A. Moss,et al.  The electrocardiogram in normal newborn infants: correlation with hemodynamic observations. , 1965, The Journal of pediatrics.

[5]  M. Lev,et al.  The Quantitative Anatomy of the Normal Child's Heart , 1963 .

[6]  H V Pipberger,et al.  Correlations of the Orthogonal Electrocardiogram and Vectorcardiogram with Constitutional Variables in 518 Normal Men , 1967, Circulation.

[7]  H V Pipberger,et al.  Distortions in infant electrocardiograms caused by inadequate high-frequency response. , 1977, American heart journal.

[8]  D. Sahn,et al.  Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Performance in Normal Newborns , 1974, Circulation.

[9]  G. Hait,et al.  THE EVOLUTION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF T WAVE CHANGES IN THE NORMAL NEWBORN DURING THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS OF LIFE. , 1963, The American journal of cardiology.

[10]  Computer interpretation of Frank vectorcardiogram in normal newborns: identification of right ventricular dominance patterns. , 1972, Journal of electrocardiology.

[11]  L. E. Ainger,et al.  Digital Computer Analysis of the Vectorcardiogram of the Newborn Infant: Quantitative and Comparative Measurement of Three Orthogonal Lead Systems , 1967, Circulation.