We have already told you that with the support of "terre des hommes Deutschland e.V." and funding from the German Federal Foreign Office, the Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya purchased two modern electrocardiographs for the Uzhhorod City Children’s Clinical Hospital. The equipment is already in use by doctors and has been useful in treating several hundred little patients.

"Our department is designed for both younger and older children, so we asked for two electrocardiographs. Why? Because, for example, a large 12-channel device requires simultaneous connection of all electrodes, which is almost impossible for a small child or children with disabilities who often cry, resist, remove the suction cups, and in such cases a small cardiograph comes in handy. It can be used to alternately apply suction cups in six leads. Yes, such a cardiogram is longer, the process is more time-consuming, and paper consumption is higher, but the result is accurate. For older children, we mostly use a large device that immediately gives data on 12 indicators of heart function", says Iryna Turyanytsya, head of the Senior Childhood Department at the Uzhhorod City Children’s Hospital, a pediatric neurologist.

The obtained electrocardiographs, first of all, make it possible to quickly determine whether a child’s heart is normal or has pathologies. This is especially important when a child is brought in after losing consciousness. Operational monitoring allows to adjust further diagnosis and treatment. According to Iryna Turyanytsya, cardiograms are mandatory for young patients with cardiovascular and neurological diseases, children in serious conditions, with unspecified diagnoses, when additional diagnostics are needed... In March-April 2024, 314 young patients underwent cardiac diagnostics at the Senior Childhood Department of the Uzhhorod City Children’s Hospital.

According to doctors, another advantage of the new equipment is its compact size. Electrocardiographs are convenient to use in different wards, while previously the patient had to be moved to the manipulation room, which was not very convenient when the child was in a serious condition.

The assistance provided is part of a large project "Improving the Protection of Children in Emergencies in Ukraine by Providing Safe Shelters, Food and Non-Food Items, and Psychosocial Support".