Evaluation of children with family history of sudden cardiac death

Sudden death is defined as the death of a known healthy individual either within 1 hour of the onset of symptoms or within the last 24 hours if there is no witness. The aim of the study is to reveal preventable causes by performing cardiac screening on the first and second degree relatives of individuals under the age of 50 who have a family history of sudden death. In our study, 82 children, who applied to the pediatric cardiology clinic between September 2023 and September 2024, were evaluated. The detailed history of the deceased relative, the manner of death, and the findings if an autopsy was performed were evaluated. After a detailed history and physical examination, standard ECG, transthoracic ECHO, rhythm Holter and exercise tests were performed on the children. There were 57 relatives of these patients who had a history of sudden death, sudden cardiac death, or reversed sudden cardiac arrest and in 10 of these children (12.1%) new genetic cardiac disease was identified. The coronary artery disease risk factors of the deceased relatives were found to be similar to the literature. In conclusion, in line with the recommendations of the guidelines for the prevention and management of sudden cardiac deaths, obtaining a detailed family history, systemic examination of the patient, a detailed cardiological evaluation and genetic analysis plays a critical role in reducing the risks. It is the first study conducted in our country on this subject. Some of the sudden deaths can be prevented by evaluating the first degree relatives of those who died due to sudden death and by treating the diagnosed patients. It is important to increase awareness in our country about increasing the rates of morphological and molecular autopsy and to direct the relatives of patients who are deemed necessary to undergo genetic analysis. Key Words: Sudden death, familial cardiac diseases, pediatric cardiac diseases