Video games may trigger lethal heart problems in some children: Study

Across the 22 cases researchers found, multiplayer war gaming was the most frequent trigger.

Playing video games may lead to life-threatening irregular heartbeat in susceptible children whose predisposition may have been previously unrecognised, according to a study.

The research, published recently in the journal Heart Rhythm, documents an uncommon, but distinct pattern among children who lose consciousness while playing video games.

"Video games may represent a serious risk to some children with arrhythmic conditions; they might be lethal in patients with predisposing, but often previously unrecognised arrhythmic conditions," said study lead investigator Claire M. Lawley from The Heart Centre for Children, Australia.

"Children who suddenly lose consciousness while electronic gaming should be assessed by a heart specialist as this could be the first sign of a serious heart problem," Lawley said.

The team reviewed research literature and carried out a multisite international outreach effort to identify cases of children with sudden loss of consciousness while playing video games.

Across the 22 cases they found, multiplayer war gaming was the most frequent trigger.

Some children died following a cardiac arrest, they said. Subsequent diagnoses of several heart rhythm conditions put the children at continuing risk, according to the researchers.