CARDIAC SCREENING IN CHILD ATHLETES: CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF A STUDY CONDUCTED IN THE ADJARA REGION

Abstract

Background. Participation in organized sports plays a crucial role in the physical and psychosocial development of children and adolescents; however, intensive physical exertion may be associated with rare but potentially fatal cardiovascular conditions, including sudden cardiac death. According to international data, the incidence of sudden cardiac death among young athletes ranges from 1 to 6.8 per 100,000 population, which underlines the importance of systematic preparticipation cardiovascular screening recommended by leading cardiology societies.

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, structure, and clinical significance of cardiovascular abnormalities detected through cardiac screening in young athletes from the Adjara region.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 and included 442 young athletes aged 7–18 years (387 males and 55 females). Preparticipation cardiovascular screening was performed in accordance with Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE) principles and consisted of medical history assessment, physical examination, blood pressure measurement, 12-lead electrocardiography, and transthoracic echocardiography. Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), were recorded. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods.

Results. Among the 442 examined athletes, cardiovascular pathology was identified in 58 cases, corresponding to a prevalence of 13.1%. The most frequently detected abnormalities were mitral valve prolapse (22 cases), mitral regurgitation (14 cases), and atrial septal defect (11 cases). Aortic valve anomalies were identified in 9 participants. High-risk conditions associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death were detected in isolated cases only, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (1 case) and Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome (1 case).

Conclusion. The findings demonstrate that approximately one in seven young athletes requires further cardiological evaluation and follow-up. Systematic PPE-based cardiac screening is a valuable preventive strategy that facilitates early detection of clinically significant cardiovascular abnormalities, enhances sports safety, and contributes to the prevention of sudden cardiac death in the pediatric and adolescent athletic population.