ISSN : 2663-2187

Outcomes of myocarditis in patients in pediatric intensive care unit

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Arshad Karim , Ravi Kumar , Ashfaq Ahmad , Muhammad Ishaq , Asad Iqbal
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.9.2024.5680-5687

Abstract

Background: Myocarditis is a serious condition that results in inflammation of the heart, especially children admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Objective: This study aims to describe the profile and outcome of children with myocarditis admitted into an ICU. Study Design: This is a retrospective design study. Duration and Place of the study: This research was conducted at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Saidu Group Of Teaching Hospital, Swat. The study period spanned from 1st june 2023 to 30th may 2024. Material and Methods: This research involved 34 pediatric cases with a diagnosis of myocarditis, who were admitted to the PICU. We included patients from 1 month to <18 years of age with hospitalization in the PICU for management, a diagnosis based on clinical presentation and echocardiographic, MRI findings. Patients who have prior diagnosis of congenital hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy or those with incomplete medical records were excluded. Results: In a series of 34 patients, there were 20 males (58.8%) and 14 females (41.2%), with an age range from one month to 17 years old; the median age was 8.90 years. The most common presenting symptoms were dyspnea (85.3%), followed by chest pain (64.7%) and fever (58.8%). Echocardiography revealed myocarditis in all cases with 52.9% patients having reduced LVEF (Left ventricular ejection fraction). Conclusion: Myocarditis in the pediatric ICU is a serious illness with morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and aggressive treatment with IVIG, corticosteroids should lead to resolution. Additional investigations are necessary to refine management strategies and enhance prognostic markers in this high-risk group.

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