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Updated: May 31, 2026
08:56
Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: September 24, 2021
[Infectious complete atrioventricular block in children: 2 case reports].
C Latour1, M Veyrier, G Teyssier
1Service de pédiatrie, hôpital Nord, CHU Saint Etienne, 42055 cedex 2, France. claire_latour@yahoo.fr
Summary
Infections like varicella or Mycoplasma pneumoniae can rarely cause complete atrioventricular block in children. Early detection via clinical exam and ECG is crucial, as it may lead to permanent heart conduction disturbances requiring pacemakers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Atrioventricular block (AVB) is a rare but serious cardiac complication following childhood infections.
- Congenital heart conditions may predispose children to AVB during infections.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of complete AVB following viral (varicella) and bacterial (Mycoplasma pneumoniae) infections are presented.
- One case involved a pre-existing congenital first-degree heart block.
Findings:
- Complete AVB resolved with oral corticosteroids in one case, restoring normal sinus rhythm.
- The second case had an unfavorable outcome, necessitating a permanent pacemaker due to persistent conduction disturbance.
- Approximately one-third of pediatric cardiac complications from infections result in permanent conduction abnormalities.
Implications:
- Prompt clinical evaluation and electrocardiogram (ECG) are essential for diagnosing infection-induced AVB in children.
- Early detection can guide timely intervention, potentially preventing long-term cardiac sequelae.
- Understanding this rare complication is vital for pediatricians and cardiologists managing infectious diseases.
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