Clinico-Etiological Profile of Children with Pericardial Effusion in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

INTRODUCTION: Pericardial effusion may be due to various causes. With the changing scenario of newer generation antibiotics and robust immunization program our aim is to identify the change, if any, in etiology and disease menifestations. METHODOLOGY: This is a hospital-based uni-center prospective study with a population of 30 children for a period of 1½ year. Clinico-epidemiological features, investigations, complications and short-term outcome were assessed. RESULTS: We found 13 (43.33%) patients having mild, 11 (36.67%) had moderate and 6 (20%) had severe pericardial effusion. Cardiac tamponade was present in six cases. Among the study population 9 (30%) patients were diagnosed as having pyogenic pericardial effusion and 8 (26.67%) had tubercular effusion. The predominant symptoms of pericardial effusion in our children were fever and tachycardia (83.33%).Other symptoms at presentation were tachycardia (76.67%), cough (63.33%), chest pain (50%), orthopnea (43.33%) and skin rash (16.67%). Pericardiocentesis was done in 14 cases (46.67%) of which 4 patients (13.33%) required pig tail catheterization. DISCUSSION: Infectious etiology still remains the primary cause of pericardial effusion in our country. The presenting clinical signs are very much nonspecific and also not so prominent unless hemodynamic compromisation occurs. CONCLUSION: This study showed that bacterial and tubercular pericardial effusions are still two most prevalent etiological diagnosis in this part of country. Early diagnosis and treatment has good outcome.