Key result
Pediatric DCM diagnosis after age 10 is linked to ~92% higher mortality versus under 3 months.
Why the study?
To evaluate the incidence, survival, and mortality of dilated cardiomyopathy in children in Sweden from 1991 to 2019.
Observational (n=377)
Yes
Hazard Ratio: 1.92
The incidence of pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy in Sweden remained stable at 0.62/100,000 person-years over 29 years, with a high mortality rate of 23%, particularly in children diagnosed after age 10.
Swedish pediatric DCM data update national incidence and outcomes; leaves open generalizability and causal drivers for future studies.
AIM: To study the incidence, survival, and mortality of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in children in Sweden, 1991-2019. METHODS: Hospital records of 0-18-year-olds diagnosed with DCM over a 29-year period were reviewed. The annual sex-specific incidence rates of DCM were calculated as new disease cases, divided by the average Swedish same-sex population for each year between 1991 and 2019. RESULTS: Altogether 377 patients were identified, 204 (54%) male and 173 (46%) female. The annual incidence rate of DCM over the study period was 0.62/100 000 person-years. The incidence rate was 5.98/100 000 persons in patients < 1 year old compared with 0.33/100 000 in 1-18-year-olds. Linear regression analysis revealed no change (p = 0.82) in the incidence of DCM over the 29-year period. Among children with a clinical diagnosis and available follow-up (n = 268), the mortality rate was 23%. Children aged > 10 years at diagnosis experienced an increased risk of death compared with children ≤ 3 months of age at diagnosis (hazard ratio 1.92). The heart transplant rate was 26%. CONCLUSIONS: In this national study, we found an incidence rate of paediatric DCM of 0.62/100 000 person-years in Sweden. The mortality risk was highest in children > 10 years old at diagnosis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Fadl et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (n=377). Age > 10 years at diagnosis vs. Age ≤ 3 months at diagnosis was evaluated on Mortality (HR 1.92). The incidence of pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy in Sweden was 0.62/100,000 person-years, and children >10 years at diagnosis had a higher mortality risk than those ≤3 months (HR 1.92).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: