Long QT interval in the newborn

An understanding of the electrocardiogram in the newborn requires specific knowledge of the cardiac physiology and pathology before and shortly after birth. Many newborns may present which ventricular repolarization abnormalities due to several acquired or congenital conditions which may cause prolonged QT interval. As the association between long QT interval and sudden infant death syndrome has been clearly established, the finding of ventricular repolarization abnormalities in the newborn is of special clinical relevance, with specific diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications.