Acquired heart disease in children is not necessarily rheumatic

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

• Acquired heart diseases (AHD) represent a major cause of illness and death in pediatric populations.
• Existing research on the prevalence and specific causes of AHD in children is notably limited.
• Understanding the spectrum of AHD is crucial for timely diagnosis and management in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the etiological profile of acquired heart diseases in a pediatric cohort.
• To determine the clinical outcomes associated with various acquired heart diseases in children.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and potential for misdiagnosis in non-rheumatic AHD.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 85 pediatric patients diagnosed with AHD.
• Data collection involved clinical evaluations and echocardiography.
• Study conducted at a tertiary care center in Kanpur, India.

Main Results:

• Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) accounted for approximately one-third of AHD cases.
• Cardiomyopathies and myocarditis together comprised another third of the cases.
• The remaining third included diverse causes such as pericardial diseases, metabolic, and genetic disorders, which were often misdiagnosed.

Conclusions:

• Acquired heart diseases in children present a varied etiological landscape, with RHD, cardiomyopathies, and other conditions being significant contributors.
• Non-rheumatic AHD, including genetic and metabolic causes, are frequently misdiagnosed, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.
• A critical cardiac evaluation is essential for all children presenting with symptoms like unexplained shock, dyspnea, or hepatomegaly to ensure accurate diagnosis of AHD.