CARDIAC STRUCTURE GROWTH-PATTERN DETERMINED BY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Using M-mode echocardiography, the authors measured dimensions of the ventricular walls and cavities, great vessels, and left atrium and atrioventricular valve excursions on 93 infants and children without heart disease. The data were analyzed by relating each dimension in mm to body surface area in m2 and the 90% tolerance limits for the data were calculated. The tolerance lines of the data were wider than previously recorded. At birth and maturity they were similar to the range defined as normal by studies in neonates and adults. The authors suggest that the tolerance lines of these normal data may be used for quantitative echocardiography in childhood.