Proportion of electrocardiograms with abnormalities by assessment period among all children included in the analysis (n = 111) and children without electrocardiographic abnormalities at baseline (n = 86).

<p>Labels represent proportion (95% confidence intervals). * Using the last observation carried forward method. ECG: electrocardiogram.</p

Baseline characteristics of children included in the analysis (n = 111) and those without electrocardiographic abnormalities at baseline (n = 86).

<p>Baseline characteristics of children included in the analysis (n = 111) and those without electrocardiographic abnormalities at baseline (n = 86).</p

Incident electrocardiographic abnormalities among children with a normal electrocardiogram at baseline (1991–1992) according the Buenos Aires method (n = 86).

<p>Incident electrocardiographic abnormalities among children with a normal electrocardiogram at baseline (1991–1992) according the Buenos Aires method (n = 86).</p

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Treatment with Benznidazole among Children with Chronic Infection by <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>: A Retrospective Cohort Study

<div><p>Background</p><p>Chronic infection by <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> could cause heart conduction disturbances. We sought to analyze electrocardiographic abnormalities among children with chronic <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> infection with and without trypanocidal treatment with benznidazole.</p><p>Methodology/Principal Findings</p><p>We studied 111 children 6–16 years of age with asymptomatic chronic <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> infection who were recruited in 1991–1992 in Salta, Argentina. Most children were randomly assigned to benznidazole 5 mg/Kg/day (n = 47) or matching placebo (n = 48) for 60 days. Remaining children (n = 16) received treatment with benznidazole 5 mg/Kg/day open-label. Electrocardiograms were obtained at baseline and in 1995–1996, 1998, 2000 and 2005, and were analyzed using the Buenos Aires method. Among the 94 children with an electrocardiogram at baseline, 8 (8.5%) had electrocardiographic abnormalities, including 4 (4.7%) children with right bundle branch block. Proportion of abnormal electrocardiograms in the full population (n = 111) remained constant over time (media follow-up 8.6 years). Multivariable adjusted prevalence ratios (95% confidence interval [95%CI]) for electrocardiographic abnormalities in 1995–1996, 1998, 2000 and 2005 comparing children treated with benznidazole versus those not treated were 2.76 (0.66, 11.60), 2.33 (0.44, 12.31), 3.06 (0.48, 19.56), and 1.94 (0.33, 11.25), respectively. Among the 86 children with a normal electrocardiogram at baseline, 16 (18.6%) developed electrocardiographic abnormalities during follow-up. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for incident electrocardiographic abnormalities comparing children treated with benznidazole versus those not treated was 0.68 (95%CI: 0.25, 1.88).</p><p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>Electrocardiographic abnormalities are frequent among children with chronic <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> infection. Treatment with benznidazole for 60 days may not be associated with less electrocardiographic abnormalities.</p></div

Description of baseline electrocardiograms in 1991–1992 according the Buenos Aires method (n = 94).

<p>Description of baseline electrocardiograms in 1991–1992 according the Buenos Aires method (n = 94).</p