Rapidly developing pericardial constriction in childhood following acute nonspecific pericarditis

Abstract

Constrictive pericarditis is uncommon in childhood. However, it can develop rapidly following acute nonspecific or Coxsackie virus pericarditis with effusion. The diagnosis should be suspected when clinical evidence of impaired ventricular filling persists as the heart size returns toward normal. Constrictive pericarditis developed in a 4 year old girl within five weeks of the onset of acute nonspecific pericarditis probably due to Coxsackie B 5 virus. Early surgery rapidly restored the child to normal health.