8810 Myocarditis PedBrochure2
8810 Myocarditis PedBrochure2
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The Myocarditis Foundation (MF) seeks to increase
awareness and hasten progress in understanding myocarditis
by awarding grants to help guarantee that new and innovative
research avenues are thoroughly funded and explored. Please
donate now.
The MF is a private, non-profit organization that exists to
educate physicians and the public about this rare disease and
support the patients and their families who have been affected
by the disease. Copies of our materials will be available without
charge. All of the money donated to MF will go directly to programs and services.
Internet Resources
Compassionate Friends:
www.compassionatefriends.org
iCAPTURE Centre, University of British ColumbiaSt. Pauls Hospital Scientific Director, The Heart
Centre-Providence Health Care, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada.
Pediatric
MYOCARDITIS
MayoClinic:
www.mayoclinic.org/myocarditis/research.html
www.mayoclinic.com/health/myocarditis/DS00521
American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org
MyocarditisFoundation.org
Website Resources
For Myocarditis Patients: The Patient Survey
For Patients and Families who have lost loved ones to
myocarditis: The Message Board
For Medical Professionals: Myocarditis resources and
research grant information
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Coxsackie B was the first virus associated with myocarditis but many others have been implicated in children
including Adenovirus, Parvovirus B 19, Hepatitis B and
C viruses, and HIV. The heart can be damaged by direct
viral injury or by immune and autoimmune responses.
Hypersensitivity reactions to a variety of drugs including some antibiotics, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may rarely result in inflammation of the heart.
Scorpion bites have been associated with myocarditis
primarily in India. Systemic autoimmune disorders
associated with myocarditis include: systemic lupus
erythematosis, celiac disease and sarcoidosis. Finally,
Giant Cell Myocarditis is a rare but serious cause of
acute dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure with a
high risk of death without intervening transplantation .
Clinical manifestations of viral myocarditis are frequently nonspecific and highly variable. They range
from mild symptoms associated with a viral illness to
cardio-pulmonary arrest. Most infants and children
with myocarditis present with fulminant symptoms,
rather than with a more sub-acute illness, such as is
seen in many adult cases. Myocarditis is difficult to
detect because it is relatively rare, often with highly
variable and non-specific symptoms.
Children with acute myocarditis frequently display
signs and symptoms of a viral infection early on, including fever, muscle aches and malaise. More severe
symptoms suggesting the onset of cardiac involvement, such as shortness of breath and exercise intolerance, may occur days later.
Fulminant myocarditis is associated with an acute
onset of severe cardio-pulmonary dysfunction. These
children are usually critically ill. Symptoms may
include those associated with respiratory disease such
as labored, rapid breathing, bronchospasm, cyanosis
and grunting (seen in infants), all suggestive of severe
respiratory distress. Other cases may suggest cardiac
dysfunction with rapid heart rate, erratic weak pulse,
paleness, sweating, weakness or dizziness.
Although many children recover from mild myocarditis with no consequences, severe myocarditis is
responsible for significant morbidity and mortality
in children worldwide. Children presenting with
fulminant myocarditis are more likely to achieve a
complete recovery if they survive the acute illness.
Children who do develop dilated cardiomyopathy
and progress to end-stage heart failure, despite medical management using supportive therapy may be
candidates for cardiac transplantation.
Transplant-free survival rates are highly variable,
ranging from 40% to 80% over five years. A recent
study demonstrated improved one and five year
survival rates of 90% and 83% respectively. Predictors
of outcome in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
include age, severity of symptoms at presentation,
evidence of heart failure at presentation, the presence
or absence of arrythmias and the rate of improvement. After therapy, post-transplantation survival
rates approximate 80% at one year and 70% at five
years.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS BROCHURE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED OR USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. IF YOU HAVE OR SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE A MEDICAL PROBLEM OR CONDITION, PLEASE CONTACT A QUALIFIED MEDICAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. THE MYOCARDITIS
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