Key result
Lower ejection fraction is linked to higher mortality in pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy.
Why the study?
Paediatric dilated cardiomyopathy is an uncommon but serious disorder with significant morbidity and mortality, prompting an evaluation of the clinical profile, probable aetiologies, echocardiographic findings, and outcomes of affected children in Eastern India.
Cross-Sectional (n=15)
No
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Paediatric dilated cardiomyopathy in Eastern India presents with marked clinical and echocardiographic severity, where reduced ejection fraction is significantly associated with mortality (p=0.02) and viral and genetic factors are the leading identifiable causes.
Background: Paediatric dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an uncommon but serious cardiac disorder associated with ventricular systolic dysfunction and significant morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the clinical profile, probable aetiologies, echocardiographic findings, and outcomes of children with DCM. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 1–15 years diagnosed with DCM by two-dimensional echocardiography at a tertiary-care hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, from April 2024 to December 2025. Universal sampling was used. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, etiological, and outcome data were obtained from hospital records. Associations between variables were assessed using correlation analysis. Results: Fifteen children were included, with a mean age of 6.9 ± 3.22 years; 60% were female. The predominant age group was 5–10 years. Dyspnoea was the commonest presenting symptom (93.3%), followed by fever (66.7%) and orthopnoea (53.3%). Tachycardia (86.6%) and cardiomegaly with gallop rhythm (80%) were the predominant examination findings. Ejection fraction (EF) was reduced in all patients, with 53.3% having EF 20–30%, 13.3% having EF ≤20%, and 33.3% having EF 30–40%. A probable aetiology was identified in 13 patients, most commonly viral upper respiratory tract infection (26.7%), followed by probable genetic causes (20%). During follow-up, 40% were doing well without medication, 26.7% were doing well with medication, and 20% died. Lower EF was significantly associated with mortality (p=0.02). Conclusion: Paediatric DCM showed marked clinical and echocardiographic severity at presentation. The heterogeneous etiological profile supports comprehensive evaluation for potentially treatable and genetic contributors. Reduced EF was significantly associated with mortality, highlighting its potential role in prognostic assessment
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Panda et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Paediatric dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (n=15). Lower ejection fraction vs. Higher ejection fraction was evaluated on Mortality (p=0.02). Lower ejection fraction in children with dilated cardiomyopathy was associated with mortality.
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