Application of the head-up tilt table test in children under 6 years old

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical value and safety of the head-up tilt table test (HUTT) in children under 6 years old. METHODS: The HUTT results between September 2000 and August 2011 of 144 2 to 6-year-old children (81 boys and 63 girls) with syncope and dizziness of unknown causes were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: Eight children completed the based tilt table test and 136 cases completed the sublingual nitroglycerin tilt table test. No serious side effects were found in these children. Thirty-two (22.2%) of the 144 children had a positive result of HUTT, including 18 boys and 14 girls (P>0.05). When HUTT-induced syncope met positive standards, ECG record and blood pressure recovered to normal levels within 5 minutes by changing the position of the test bed, keeping the airway open, nasal oxygen inhalation and oral milk. CONCLUSIONS: The HUTT is valuable, safe and compliant in children under 6 years old.