Pediatric Cardiac Function Staging and Management Recommendations

The global prevalence of heart failure in children continues to increase, accompanied by a growing disease burden. To advance early prevention and intervention by shifting the focus upstream in the disease process, the Cardiovascular Group of the Pediatrics Society of the Chinese Medical Association has introduced the concept of pediatric cardiac function staging applicable to all children. This framework categorizes pediatric cardiac function into three distinct stages: the stage of cardiac function sufficiency (Stage A), the stage of cardiac dysfunction (Stage B), and the stage of cardiac function failure (Stage C). Based on this staging system, the diagnostic criteria and management strategies for each stage are delineated, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive management pathway rooted in cardiac function staging. This approach seeks to further reduce the incidence and burden of pediatric heart failure, providing a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for achieving the goal of making pediatric heart failure preventable, manageable, and treatable.