What causes wolff-parkinson-white (WPW) syndrome?
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is one of the leading causes of fast heart rate disorder in newborns and young children. It is not clear what causes the additional pathway to develop inside the heart. The condition is present at birth, but genetic factors do not usually play a role and the condition is not hereditary to any significant degree. Since the cause is unknown,
prevention is impossible.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is caused by abnormal conduction of electrical signals in the heart. Electrical signals arrive at the ventricles prematurely, because they travel through a shortcut (bypass tract) between the atria and the ventricles. This condition makes the heart susceptible to rhythm abnormalities. People are born with the congenital abnormality that causes Wolff-Parkinson-White. Symptoms may arise in infancy or childhood, but tachycardias are more likely to develop later in life. Generally, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome occurs alone, but sometimes it may be associated with congenital malformations. |
