AIM OF THE STUDY:

To study the clinical course and prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy in children admitted in the Institute of Child Health & Research Centre, Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This was a hospital based study conducted in the ICH & RC, Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. During the Period of September 2002 to August 2004.

Detailed history and clinical examination, chest x-ray, electrocardiograms and serial echo - cardiograms were done for all the children.

The clinical course, treatment and outcomes were noted. Patients with improved clinical status and an increase in the ejection fraction more than 5% were defined as improved (Group 1). No change or <5% change in the ejection fraction as unchanged (Group II). Clinical worsening and (or) decline in the ejection fraction>5% was classified as worsened (Group III).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

31 children less than 12 years of age were diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy during the study. Ten children died during the study. AGE: The mean age of children in our study was 3.5 + / - 4.03 years.

CLINICAL PICTURE:

CCI is the most common presentation in our study. Preceding history of viral fever was present in 9 cases of which six children were below 2 years. Anemia - eight children and peripheral smear examination revealed dimorphic anemia in all the cases. Grade II systolic murmur was heard in about 11 cases (35%) while the remaining cases revealed no murmurs.

CONCLUSION:

On univariate analysis only higher the age at diagnosis, higher cardiothoracic ratio and a low left ventricular ejection fraction on serial echocardiograms were associated with a poor outcome. The treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy is still largely supportive and the etiological diagnosis requires a much-detailed work up.

Ooty Pedicon 2005 - Conference Abstracts.Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2005 [cited 01 December 2005];2. Available from:
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dilated_cardiomyopathy.asp