H1N1 linked to rare heart infection in children
POSTED February 18, 2010 - 11:05 | POSTED BY Neharika Sabharwal
Last edited by Kangna Agarwal on February 18, 2010 - 12:32
Researchers noted the rare heart infection in four children afflicted by swine flu in less than a month with three diagnosed with fatal, or near fatal consequences.
Dr. Andras Bratincsak of Rady Children's Hospital and the University of California San Diego declared, "We present the first known report of acute myocarditis in pediatric population associated with the present pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus infection.”
Four children exhibit symptoms of fulminant myocarditis
The echocardiogram results revealed all the three kids had elevated cardiac enzymes with a marked decrease in left ventricular systolic function. One child exhibiting severe myocarditis succumbed to the problem.
The remaining two had to undergo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support or ECMO, an extreme type of life support similar to heart-lung bypass machines used during open-heart surgery.
Dr Bratincsak stated, "Our observations warrant a high index of suspicion for myocarditis in children with H1N1 influenza A infection. Timely intervention with circulatory support may decrease morbidity and mortality, with the potential for a favorable cardiac prognosis."
Fulminant myocarditis, a rare occurrence
According to physicians at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, the institute which caters to the medical needs of nearly 8,00,000 children of the region has in the past three years treated an average of just two cases of acute myocarditis annually.
However, out of 80 children hospitalized with the current viral infection, four kids exhibited influenza related myocarditis symptoms in October 2009.
Of these, three children showed signs of fulminant myocarditis, a rather uncharacteristic, and rare occurrence.
Giving some insight, experts pointed out that fulminant myocarditis related to a viral infection is uncommon, and influenza-A-virus-associated fulminant myocarditis is "exceedingly rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature.”
A little about myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition involving the heart muscle. The exact cause is unknown since adequate screening does not exist.
It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms like fatigue, difficult breathing, and rapid heartbeat to sudden death from fatal arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
It may be an outcome of bacterial and viral infections, immune system disorders, and the production of myocardial toxins by the body, as well as chemical and radiation exposure.
In some cases, patients with this type of ailment need to be on ventilator support during the period of illness. Fortunately, majority of the patients recover.
