What is the most common cause of bradycardia in children?

Bradycardia in children is most commonly caused by hypoxia. When a child experiences a lack of adequate oxygen, the body responds by reducing the heart rate as a protective mechanism. This compensatory response aims to prolong the time that oxygenated blood can be distributed to vital organs despite the lack of available oxygen.

While other factors such as electrolyte imbalances or medication overdoses can also lead to bradycardia, they are less common compared to the direct impact that hypoxia has on heart rate regulation. Dehydration can contribute to various cardiac issues but is not a leading cause of bradycardia in the pediatric population. Understanding the critical relationship between oxygenation and heart rate is essential in effectively identifying and treating the underlying causes of bradycardia in children.