Which assessment is essential for evaluating potential cardiac anomalies in infants?

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is essential for evaluating potential cardiac anomalies in infants because it provides critical information about the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG can reveal arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and signs of hypertrophy or ischemia, all of which can indicate underlying cardiac problems. This is particularly important in infants, where timely diagnosis is crucial for conditions such as congenital heart defects that may not be visible through imaging alone.

In the context of other assessments, while CT angiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are valuable diagnostic tools for detailed anatomical studies, they are typically not the first-line assessments in infants due to higher levels of radiation exposure (in the case of CT) or the need for sedation (in the case of MRI). A chest X-ray can provide information about the heart's size and the presence of pulmonary congestion but does not offer the comprehensive electrical activity insights that an ECG does. Therefore, the ECG is particularly vital in the initial assessment of infants for cardiac anomalies.