Analysis of the Clinical Value of Galectin-3 and Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Levels in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Viral Myocarditis in Children

This study aimed to explore the clinical value of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels in the diagnosis and prognosis of viral myocarditis (VMC) in children.A case group and a control group were established. The distribution of infected viruses in the case group was analyzed, and serum Gal-3 and H-FABP levels were compared between the case and control groups, and among different disease severity and prognostic subgroups within the case group.A total of 114 viral strains were isolated from 110 children, with coxsackievirus B being the most prevalent. The case group showed higher serum Gal-3 and H-FABP levels than the control group. Within the case group, the moderate and severe subgroup showed higher serum Gal-3 and H-FABP levels than the mild subgroup, and children with poor prognosis showed significantly elevated levels compared with those with good prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the AUC (95% CI) for pediatric VMC diagnosis using serum Gal-3, H-FABP, and their combination were 0.844, 0.800, and 0.890, respectively. For predicting poor prognosis in VMC, the AUC values for Gal-3, H-FABP, and their combination were 0.823, 0.809, and 0.885, respectively.Serum Gal-3 and H-FABP levels are significantly elevated in children with VMC. Their combined measurement offers enhanced diagnostic and prognostic value, aiding in the early identification and risk assessment of VMC in pediatric patients.