Simplified Approach to a Child with Tachyarrhythmia.

Arrhythmias in childhood are often challenging to diagnose and treat for a pediatrician. Tachyarrhythmias may or may not be associated with underlying structural heart disease or ion channel defects, and may also occur in the post-operative setting. Symptoms vary from excessive crying, irritability and failure to thrive, to palpitations, heart failure and syncope. Knowledge of the normal 12 lead ECG (electrocardiogram) in various stages of life and its transition to adulthood is essential in order to distinguish abnormal ECG from normal variants. Management in acute settings as well as long term medical management and interventional therapies are important. Both, cardiologists as well as pediatricians should be well-versed in the diagnosis and management of tachyarrhythmias in children.