Effects of azithromycin on ventricular repolarization in children with COVID-19.

Introduction: Azithromycin is used to treat pediatric COVID-19 patients. It can also prolong the QT interval in adults. This study assessed the effects of azithromycin on ventricular repolarization in children with COVID-19.

Method: The study prospectively enrolled children with COVID-19 who received azithromycin between July and August 2020. An electrocardiogram was performed before, one, three, and five days post-treatment. Using ImageJ®, the following parameters were measured: QT max, QT min, Tp-e max, and Tp-e min. The parameters QTc max, QTc min, Tp-ec max, Tp-ec min, QTcd, Tp-ecd, and the QTc/Tp-ec ratio were calculated using Bazett's formula.

Results: The study included 105 pediatric patients (mean age 9.8±5.3 years). The pretreatment heart rate was higher than after treatment (before 92 [79-108]/min vs. Day 1 82 [69-108)]/min vs. Day 3 80 [68-92.2]/min vs. Day 5 81 [70-92]/min; p=0.05).

Conclusion: Azithromycin does not affect the ventricular repolarization parameters on ECG in pediatric COVID-19 cases.