Epidemiology of the syncope in children and adolescents in elite sport (EPISODE-S research)

Study purpose. To determine the prevalence of syncope among young elite athletes.

Material and methods. In the course of the study “Epidemiology of the syncope in children and adolsceents in elite sport (EPISODE-S)” ** 1687 young elite athletes 16.3±1.5 years old, members of the Russian National teams from 52 sports discipline were surveyed. Control group was 1732 nonathletes the same age and gender.

Results. 113 (6.7%) athletes had syncope (girls – 73.5%). More often, syncope registered in basketball (10.5%), judo (10.3%), rhythmic gymnastics (9.1%), figure skating (8.0%), volleyball (7.4%). According to the results of questioning in schools, syncope was noted in 4.2% of students. In all cases among athletes syncope had neurally mediated (reflex) nature by the results of the additional examination. Four out of 1687 athletes (0.24%) had the long QT syndrome, but they haven’t got syncope.

Conclusions. 1. In the young elite athletes prevalence of syncope is 6.7% (4.2% for non-athletes) and significantly more common in girls (11.6% vs. 3.4%). More often, syncope occurs in sports where tall athletes are selected (basketball, volleyball) or strict weight control is required (rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, judo). The majority of the young athletes has benign neurally mediated nature of syncope and doesn’t need restrict for the sport, but the first of all they require the exclusion of diseases with a high risk of sudden cardiac death.

** Epidemiology of the syncope in children and adolsceents in elite sport (EPISODE-S)

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