Key result
Abnormal endocardial thickening was found in 3.4% and probably significant thickening in 20% of 262 overtly normal infant hearts, potentially contributing to some cot deaths.
Observational (n=262)
Endocardial fibrosis is present in a notable proportion of apparently normal infant hearts and may contribute to some cases of sudden infant death.
May link endocardial thickening to some cot deaths; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
A classification of the histological appearance of the endocardium in infants, and observers' reproducibility tests have been carried out. In a retrospective survey of 262 overtly normal hearts, what is considered to be abnormal thickening of the endocardium was found in 3.4%, and probably significant thickening in 20%. The changes occurred in unexpected home deaths as well as in hospital deaths and the lesions may be a contributing factor in some cot deaths, but a prospective study is required to confirm this.
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Williams et al. (1978) conducted an observational in Overtly normal infant hearts (n=262). Endocardial thickening was evaluated on Abnormal thickening of the endocardium. Abnormal endocardial thickening was found in 3.4% and probably significant thickening in 20% of 262 overtly normal infant hearts, potentially contributing to some cot deaths.
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