Imipramine and electrocardiographic abnormalities in hyperactive children.

The authors report seven cases of electrocardiographic abnormalities occurring in 7- to 10-year-old children receiving imipramine pharmacotherapy for behavior disorders. Three of the children evidenced a first-degree atrioventricular block. The abnormalities were less pronounced in the other four children. Imipramine plasma levels during steady state were not found to be directly related to the extent of the electrocardiographic changes within the obtained plasma values. The authors emphasize the necessity of careful clinical surveillance of children receiving imipramine pharmacotherapy.