If a 12-lead can potentially pick up on a cardiomyopathy or prolonged QT or some other risk factor for sudden death than I think it needs to be happening. It's very simple and takes no time at all to do.
That's the problem. It can't in most people.
These are perfectly healthy, young kids
Technically, no they are not, otherwise they would not be dead.
I did a 12-lead on myself at work that showed LVH which I wasn't real concerned about but it was still a little concerning.
Would it surprise you that simply misplacing the leads can produce that? Also, even with perfect placement, about 30-40% of adult men are going to show up with LVH based off of electrocardiographic criteria.
I went to my doctor for another problem and told him my finding. He ordered an echo with no questions asked. Insurance paid for the echo.
Yeah, good on you that you have insurance. A lot of people don't. You want to pay $500 for an echo that in all likelihood is going to be clear? Also do you want to backlog the echo techs even further keeping people who really need echos from getting them just so you can assure that Susie Q. Cheerleader will be able to keep her mouth firmly on someone's jock until she's too battered and worn for anyone to want her anymore?
Even if the 12-lead shows something suspect and the child needs an echo, so what. If it can prevent one child from dying than it is worth it in my opinion.
So then by your logic, let's require rear facing passenger seats in all cars, buses and airplanes. Let's switch from using gasoline to using something like JP-5 (the Navy's version of jet fuel) which is less flammable but more expensive. I mean, it's inconvenient and expensive but hell, if it saves a single child's life then it must be worth it right?
Why is a teenage athlete's life worth more than a non-athlete or an older person? Why not just screen all teens? The ones with more going for them than a minor physical skill are more likely to contribute something to this world and anyways, their sedentary lifestyles put them at greater risk of real cardiac threats both in the short and long term.