Table 1. Screening Tool for Identification of Potential Cardiac Risk Factors for Sudden Death in Children Starting Stimulant Medication.
Answering “yes” to any of these questions should prompt further investigation or review by a specialist in pediatric cardiology
| Item | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| History | ||
| Shortness of breath with exercise (more than other children of the same age) in the absence of an alternate explanation (e.g. asthma, sedentary lifestyle, obesity) | ||
| Poor exercise tolerance (in comparison with other children) in the absence of an alternate explanation (e.g. asthma, sedentary lifestyle, obesity) | ||
| Fainting or seizures with exercise, startle or fright | ||
| Palpitations brought on by exercise | ||
| Family history of sudden or unexplained death including sudden infant death syndrome, unexplained drowning or unexplained motor vehicle accidents (in first or second degree relatives) | ||
| Personal or family history (in first or second degree relatives) of non-ischemic heart disease such as: | ||
| Long QT syndrome or other familial arrhythmias | ||
| Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome | ||
| Cardiomyopathy | ||
| Heart Transplant | ||
| Pulmonary Hypertension | ||
| Unexplained motor vehicle collisions or drowning | ||
| Implantable defibrillator | ||
| Physical Examination | ||
| Hypertension | ||
| Organic (not functional) murmur present | ||
| Sternotomy incision | ||
| Other abnormal cardiac findings |