Prone back electrocardiogram in healthy children: comparison with routine supine electrocardiogram

BACKGROUND: In children, oxygen support in the prone position may be preferred for certain conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, it is very difficult to place such patients in the supine position to obtain an electrocardiogram. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of prone back 12-lead electrocardiogram and detect electrocardiogram changes in healthy children. METHODS: The present study comprised 50 healthy children aged between 3 and 7 years. The patients first underwent a supine electrocardiogram test used in routine practice. Back electrocardiogram in prone position was obtained by placing six of the precordial leads (prone V1-prone V6) to the back of the patient. RESULTS: < 0.001). The only exceptions were that the mean T wave amplitude in prone V3 and supine V3 was similar, and the mean Q wave amplitude in prone V5 and supine V5 was similar. The average P wave, Q wave, S wave, and T wave amplitudes were similar when prone V6 was compared with supine V6. CONCLUSION: A back electrocardiogram in the prone position is a useful and practical approach that provides valuable information to the clinician.