Is the P-wave dispersion a valuable tool in determining the atrial arrhythmia of newborn babies with sepsis?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to ensure that newborns receive early diagnosis through P-wave dispersion (PWD) in terms of possible atrial arrhythmias on the provocative basis of sepsis. METHODS: In this prospective study twenty term sepsis and twenty preterm sepsis patients were compared with control groups with their own characteristics in terms of PWD by electrocardiography. RESULTS: The P-wave dispersion value in patients with term sepsis was determined to be statistically significant (p=0.03). There was no difference in PWD between the patient and control groups in preterms (p<0.05). Heart rate in preterm patients with sepsis was found to be statistically significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a tendency for atrial arrhythmias in term newborn infants with sepsis. These babies should be followed by pediatric cardiology with cardiac monitoring throughout their treatment.