Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Children

Abstract

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy in pediatrics age group is considered as a serious problem with variable prognosis. There are few studies for this issue in Iraq and no previous local study. Objectives: o To determine the associated risk factors, clinical presentation in dilated cardiomyopathy. o To determine its characteristic electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings. Patients and Method: A hospital-based cross sectional study conducted during a period of three years from 2009 to 2012 in Misan, Iraq. The diagnosed cases of dilated cardiomyopathy were selected from the referred patients for an echocardiographic evaluation in Al-Sader Teaching Hospital with suspicion of either dilated cardiomyopathy or heart failure. A full history, thorough clinical examination, Chest X-ray, electrocardiography, 2D-Echocardiography were done for all cases. Results: Children with dilated cardiomyopathy presented with variable symptoms but congestive heart failure was the most common. Male was more predominant than female with median age of 11 ± 2.605 years. Different electrocardiographic findings but tachyarrhythmia was the commonest. In echocardiography, left atrial size was positively correlated with left ventricular function and the majority had mitral valve regurgitations. Conclusion: Dyspnea and heart failure were the most common presenting symptoms in children with dilated cardiomyopathy. NYHA class III heart failure was common causing more morbidity and mortality in those patients. Additionally, imaging studies, especially, the 2-Dimensional Echocardiography was essential in confirming the diagnosis.