Fever Unmasked Brugada Syndrome in Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Introduction: Brugada syndrome is an arrhythmogenic disorder that is a known cause of sudden cardiac death. It is characterized by a pattern of ST segment elevation in the precordial leads on an electrocardiogram (EKG) due to a sodium channelopathy.

Case report: This case report highlights the case of a five-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with a febrile viral illness and had an EKG consistent with Brugada syndrome.

Discussion: Fever is known to accentuate or unmask EKG changes associated with Brugada due to temperature sensitivity of the sodium channels.

Conclusion: Febrile patients with Brugada are at particular risk for fatal ventricular arrhythmias and fevers should be treated aggressively by the emergency medicine provider. Emergency medicine providers should also consider admitting febrile patients with Brugada syndrome who do not have an automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for cardiac monitoring.

Keywords: Brugada; arrhythmias; fever; pediatric; viral illness.