How is an arrhythmia diagnosed?
Arrhythmias are identified through electrocardiograms, tests that show the electrical activity in the atria and the ventricles of the heart. Doctors examine the heart rate activity, how often these electrical signals occur, and how regularly the heart beats to determine if a child has an arrhythmia. A test called a Holter monitor may be done. This is a recording of an electrocardiogram reading for a 24-hour period. Because arrhythmias tend to happen only once in a while, it’s important to monitor the child for a good amount of time. Fetal arrhythmias can also be identified when the baby is still in the womb. To manage this situation, the mother is generally given anti-arrhythmic drugs. Intermittent fetal tachycardias can pose a threat to the baby, possibly before or after birth, and the arrhythmias tend to recur in infancy.
