Key result
Rheumatic heart disease accounts for ~33% of pediatric acquired heart disease cases.
Why the study?
Acquired heart diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality in children, yet studies on their burden, aetiology, and outcomes in this population are limited.
Observational (n=85)
No
Highlights need for broad differential in pediatric acquired heart disease; retrospective data leaves open generalizability and outcomes.
Acquired heart diseases (AHD) cause significant morbidity and mortality in children. There are limited studies on their burden in children. We conducted a retrospective study of 85 consecutive children diagnosed with AHD using clinical evaluation and echocardiography at Medical College, Kanpur, India to determine the aetiology and outcome of AHD in children. We found rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in one-third, cardiomyopathies or myocarditis combined in a further third and the remaining third were other causes, including pericardial diseases and metabolic or genetic disorders. These latter diseases were frequently misdiagnosed, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, in children of all age groups presenting with unexplained shock, dyspnoea, hepatomegaly and ascites, cardiac status should be carefully and critically evaluated so that non-rheumatic AHD may not be missed.
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Neha et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Acquired heart disease in children (n=85). Clinical evaluation and echocardiography for acquired heart disease etiology was evaluated on Etiology distribution of acquired heart disease (rheumatic heart disease vs cardiomyopathies/myocarditis vs other causes). Among 85 children with acquired heart disease, one-third had rheumatic heart disease, one-third had cardiomyopathy or myocarditis, and one-third had other frequently misdiagnosed causes.
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