Clinical presentation of dilated cardiomyopathy in children

ABSTRACT

To describe the presenting symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy in children. Descriptive case series. This Study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Bolan Medical complex Hospital, Quetta during a period of 1 year. Following patients were included in this study; that had tachycardia, respiratory distress, and heart failure. Following patients were excluded from this study; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies, congenital heart disease, Rheumatic carditis and RHD. 50 Patients were included and their clinical variables, laboratory parameters and echocardiograms were analyzed. Out of 50 patients, 5 died, all these were 10 years or older. The following symptoms were found to be clinically significant. respiratory distress p<0.05, poor feeding p<0.05. The signs were clinically significant. Arrhythmia p<0.05, Fever p<0.05, Tachycardia p<0.05, Tachypnea p<0.05, Hepatosplenomegaly p<0.05, gallop rhythm p<0.05. Other significant findings were X-ray chest, increased cardio thoracic ratio p<0.05. On echocardiography increased dimension >115 and ejection fraction <20% p<0.05, ST segment changes and T wave abnormality p<0.05. High index of suspicion followed by appropriate investigation can lead to correct diagnosis