Screening for Long QT Syndrome in Newborns

Italian researchers are recommending that newborns be screened for long QT syndrome when they’re three to four weeks old. In a study of 45,000 infants, they found that up to 230 to 250 babies a year in the European Union can be saved; infants who die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) often suffered from long QT syndrome.

For example, out of 550,000 babies born each year in Italy, about 220 have LQTS. Without screening, 13.5 percent (30) of them would die early. Screening would reduce that to 3.2 percent (7), meaning that 23 lives would be saved each year, the researchers said.

Forbes, July 13, 2006

Technorati Tags: sids, sudden infant death syndrome, long qt syndrome, children, kids, infants, newborns, childrens health, heart, heart disease