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Article
July 1986

The Congenital Long QT Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Childhood Seizures

Author Affiliations

From the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Drs Beekman and Dick); and the Departments of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio (Dr Horn), and Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich (Dr Lacina).

Am J Dis Child. 1986;140(7):659-661. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1986.02140210057025
Abstract

• The congenital long QT syndrome is an unusual disorder characterized by Q-T interval prolongation on electrocardiogram that predisposes the heart to ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. We describe herein four patients with the congenital long QT syndrome who initially presented with generalized seizures. Three of these children were initially misdiagnosed as having a primary seizure disorder. The causal relationship of complex ventricular arrhythmias to seizure activity was documented in each child. This experience emphasizes the importance of obtaining an electrocardiogram in all children with a seizure disorder of unknown origin.

(AJDC 1986;140:659-661)

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