Syncope is common among pediatric patients and is rarely pathologic. The mechanisms for symptoms during exercise are less well understood than the resting mechanisms. Additionally, inert gas rebreathing analysis, a non-invasive examination of haemodynamics including cardiac output, has not previously been studied in youth with neurocardiogenic syncope.

This was a retrospective (2017–2023), single-center cohort study in pediatric patients ≤ 21 years with prior peri-exertional syncope evaluated with echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing with inert gas rebreathing analysis performed on the same day. Patients with and without symptoms during or immediately following exercise were noted.

Of the 101 patients (15.2 ± 2.3 years; 31% male), there were 22 patients with symptoms during exercise testing or recovery. Resting echocardiography stroke volume correlated with resting (r = 0.53, p < 0.0001) and peak stroke volume (r = 0.32, p = 0.009) by inert gas rebreathing and with peak oxygen pulse (r = 0.61, p < 0.0001). Patients with syncopal symptoms peri-exercise had lower left ventricular end-diastolic volume (Z-score –1.2 ± 1.3 vs. –0.36 ± 1.3, p = 0.01) and end-systolic volume (Z-score –1.0 ± 1.4 vs. −0.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.001) by echocardiography, lower percent predicted peak oxygen pulse during exercise (95.5 ± 14.0 vs. 104.6 ± 18.5%, p = 0.04), and slower post-exercise heart rate recovery (31.0 ± 12.7 vs. 37.8 ± 13.2 bpm, p = 0.03).

Among youth with a history of peri-exertional syncope, those who become syncopal with exercise testing have lower left ventricular volumes at rest, decreased peak oxygen pulse, and slower heart rate recovery after exercise than those who remain asymptomatic. Peak oxygen pulse and resting stroke volume on inert gas rebreathing are associated with stroke volume on echocardiogram.

Head-up tilt test (HUTT) is an important tool in the diagnosis of pediatric vasovagal syncope. This research will explore the relationship between syncopal symptoms and HUTT modes in pediatric vasovagal syncope.

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 2513 children aged 3–18 years, who were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2021 due to unexplained syncope or pre-syncope. The average age was 11.76 ± 2.83 years, including 1124 males and 1389 females. The patients were divided into the basic head-up tilt test (BHUT) group (596 patients) and the sublingual nitroglycerine head-up tilt test (SNHUT) group (1917 patients) according to the mode of positive HUTT at the time of confirmed pediatric vasovagal syncope.

(1) Baseline characteristics: Age, height, weight, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and composition ratio of syncope at baseline status were higher in the BHUT group than in the SNHUT group (all P < 0.05). (2) Univariate analysis: Age, height, weight, HR, SBP, DBP, and syncope were potential risk factors for BHUT positive (all P < 0.05). (3) Multivariate analysis: syncope was an independent risk factor for BHUT positive, with a probability increase of 121% compared to pre-syncope (P<0.001).

The probability of BHUT positivity was significantly higher than SNHUT in pediatric vasovagal syncope with previous syncopal episodes.

Brugada syndrome is an inherited condition, which typically presents in young adults. It can also be diagnosed in children, but data in this group remain scarce. This study aims to describe the clinical features, management, and follow-up of children with personal or family history of Brugada syndrome.

Retrospective study of consecutive patients with Brugada history followed up in a tertiary paediatric referral centre between 2009 and 2021. Patients were assessed according to the phenotype: positive (with variable genotype) or negative (with positive genotype).

Thirty patients were included (mean age at diagnosis 7 ± 6 years, 53% male). Within the positive phenotype (n = 16), 81% were male, and 88% had spontaneous type 1 ECG pattern. A genetic test was performed in 88% and was positive in 57%. Fourteen patients had a negative phenotype–positive genotype, 79% female, all diagnosed during family screening; 43% mentioned family history of sudden cardiac death. Although most of the patients were asymptomatic, the prevalence of rhythm/conduction disturbances was not negligible, particularly if a positive phenotype. No clinically significant events were reported in the negative phenotype patients. Three patients were hospitalised due to an arrhythmic cause, all in patients with a positive phenotype.

In our study, the documentation of rhythm and conduction disturbances was not infrequent, especially in patients with a positive phenotype. Despite the significant family history, phenotype negative patients had no relevant events during follow-up. Nevertheless, the management of these patients is not clear cut, and a personalised therapeutic strategy with close follow-up is essential.

Chest pain, palpitations, and syncope are among the most common referrals to paediatric cardiology. These symptoms generally have a non-cardiac aetiology in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents referred to the paediatric cardiology clinic with chest pain, palpitations, and syncope and the relationship between cardiological symptoms and psychiatric disorders.

Children and adolescents aged 8–16 years who presented at the paediatric cardiology clinic with primary complaints of chest pain, palpitation, or syncope were included in the study. After a detailed cardiology examination, psychiatric disorders were assessed using the DSM IV-TR diagnostic criteria and a semi-structured interview scale (KSADS-PL). The Child Depression Inventory and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children were also applied to assess the severity of anxiety and depression.

The study participants comprised 73 (68.90%) girls and 33 (31.10%) boys with a mean age of 12.5 ± 2.4 years. Psychiatric disorders were determined in a total of 48 (45.3%) participants; 24 (38.7%) in the chest pain group, 12 (48.0%) in the palpitation group, and 12 (63.2%) in the syncope group. Cardiological disease was detected in 17% of the cases, and the total frequencies of psychiatric disorders (p = 0.045) were higher in patients with cardiological disease.

It is clinically important to know that the frequency of psychiatric disorders is high in patients presenting at paediatric cardiology with chest pain, palpitations, and syncope. Physicians should be aware of patients’ psychiatric problems and take a biopsychosocial approach in the evaluation of somatic symptoms.

Reflex-mediated syncope occurs in 15% of children and young adults. In rare instances, pacemakers are required to treat syncopal episodes associated with transient sinus pauses or atrioventricular block. This study describes a single centre experience in the use of permanent pacemakers to treat syncope in children and young adults.

Patients with significant pre-syncope or syncope and pacemaker implantation from 1978 to 2018 were reviewed. Data collected included the age of presentation, method of diagnosis, underlying rhythm disturbance, age at implant, type of pacemaker implanted, procedural complications and subsequent symptoms.

Fifty patients were identified. Median age at time of the first syncopal episode was 10.2 (range 0.3–20.4) years, with a median implant age of 14.9 (0.9–34.3) years. Significant sinus bradycardia/pauses were the predominant reason for pacemaker implant (54%), followed by high-grade atrioventricular block (30%). Four (8%) patients had both sinus pauses and atrioventricular block documented. The majority of patients had dual-chamber pacemakers implanted (58%), followed by ventricular pacemakers (38%). Median follow-up was 6.7 (0.4–33.0) years. Post-implant, 4 (8%) patients continued to have syncope, 7 (14%) had complete resolution of their symptoms, and the remaining reported a decrease in their pre-syncopal episodes and no further syncope. Twelve (24%) patients had complications, including two infections and eight lead malfunctions.

Paediatric patients with reflex-mediated syncope can be treated with pacing. Complication rates are high (24%); as such, permanent pacemakers should be reserved only for those in whom asystole from sinus pauses or atrioventricular block has been well documented.