A 10-year-old presents with palpitations and an ECG showing a short PR interval (0.08 s) and a slurred upstroke (delta wave) on the QRS complex followed by a wide QRS and normal P-wave axis. This finding is diagnostic of:
- A Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) ✓
- B Complete heart block
- C Long QT syndrome
- D Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
Correct answer: A. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW)
Explanation
WPW syndrome is caused by an accessory atrioventricular pathway (Bundle of Kent) that conducts faster than the AV node, producing a short PR interval, delta wave (initial slurring of QRS due to ventricular pre-excitation) and a wide QRS complex. The combination is pathognomonic of WPW. Lown-Ganong-Levine has short PR but no delta wave. Long QT syndrome features a prolonged QTc. Complete heart block shows a dissociated P-wave from QRS, not short PR.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.