Elevated cardiac troponin I in a 9-week-old infant

Myocardial ischemia in children is generally not suspected when they present to an emergency department with congestive heart failure. However, the opposite holds true for an adult patient. Elevated cardiac troponin is a specific biochemical marker for myocardial damage for both adults and children, however, they have not been routinely used in children at risk for myocardial damage. A case is presented of an infant with a complex congenital heart defect with congestive heart failure who was found to have an elevated cardiac troponin. Infants at risk for myocardial damage should have an evaluation of cardiac markers, as infants with elevated levels are prone to dysrhythmias or worsening cardiac function and thus warrant closer observations and therapy.