What is Cardiomyopathy in Children?
What is Cardiomyopathy in Children?Pediatric cardiomyopathy is a rare condition affecting infants and children that causes the heart muscles to become enlarged, thickened, and stiff. When children have cardiomyopathy, the heart may struggle to pump blood throughout the body, which can eventually lead to heart failure. Sometimes this condition presents with no signs or symptoms and can go undiagnosed for a long period.
Types of Cardiomyopathy in Children
TypesCardiomyopathy is described as either ischemic or nonischemic.
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy involves the lack of blood and oxygen flowing to the heart muscle from the coronary arteries. Although most common in adults, this is a rare form of cardiomyopathy in pediatrics that can be caused by a congenital heart abnormality. This condition affects blood vessels and blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Nonischemic cardiomyopathy includes heart muscle abnormalities caused by reasons other than coronary artery abnormalities. Most pediatric patients with cardiomyopathy are affected by nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
Pediatric cardiomyopathy involves five forms of cardiomyopathy:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
- Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC)
Signs & Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy in Children
SymptomsSigns and symptoms of cardiomyopathy in children vary depending on the type of cardiomyopathy. Symptoms of heart failure may occur with any subtypes, though they are not as common in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Patients with HCM may experience chest pain, palpitations, exercise intolerance, dizziness, or fainting. However, these patients are often asymptomatic and may be undiagnosed for a long time, making HCM the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in children 18 years old and younger.
In pediatric patients, heart failure could appear as a cold, flu, asthma, or stomachache. Some children may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms may not appear in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, patients may experience the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Exercise intolerance
- Chest pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
- Swelling of the extremities
Infants may experience additional symptoms such as:
- Poor weight gain
- Extreme sleepiness
- Difficulty feeding
- Excessive sweating
Cardiomyopathy affects adults and children alike, and adults experience the same symptoms.
More to explore
What Causes Cardiomyopathy in Children?
CausesIn many cases, the cause of cardiomyopathy in children is unknown. However, in some patients, the condition is inherited from a parent or stems from another health condition. Scientific research has determined that a mutation of certain genes may cause cardiomyopathy in children.
Often these mutations are passed down from one parent. However, the mutations can also occur spontaneously in an infant or child. Genetic testing is offered to patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy; the genetics team at NewYork-Presbyterian can provide important guidance to patients and families, especially regarding family planning.
Other forms of cardiomyopathy in children may be linked to prenatal alcohol exposure or a viral or bacterial infection that results in inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). Autoimmune diseases, along with certain metabolic deficiencies, can be causes as well.
Pediatric cardiomyopathy can also occur because of a congenital heart malformations or acquired heart valve abnormalities that put too much strain on the heart muscle.
Risk Factors
Risk FactorsIn the United States, childhood cardiomyopathy affects about 1 in every 100,000 children under 18. Since cardiomyopathy has multiple causes and symptoms, it can be difficult to pinpoint all the risk factors.
However, two of the primary risk factors most prominent in children affected by cardiomyopathy are having a viral infection of the heart (myocarditis) or having a family member under 50 who died of an unexpected heart attack or suffers from heart disease. Also, having a family member diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, arrhythmias, or heart rhythm conditions increases a child’s risk for developing cardiomyopathy.
Exposure to environmental hazards such as air pollution, heavy metals, or other toxins can increase the risk of acquiring cardiomyopathy. There are also drugs used as chemotherapy to treat certain types of cancers that can predispose patients to cardiomyopathy in the future. In addition, misuse of drugs or alcohol is a known risk factor for this condition.
Further risks factors may include:
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Obesity
- Thyroid disease
- Diabetes
- Congenital heart defects
- Infectious or inflammatory diseases
- Autoimmune diseases
- Endocrine diseases
- Exposure to radiation
Children with cardiomyopathy are also at risk for developing an irregular heartbeat, which is dangerous and could cause sudden cardiac death.
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Childhood Cardiomyopathy Care
NewYork-Presbyterian understands how overwhelming it can feel to learn your child is affected by a serious condition like cardiomyopathy. The pediatric heart specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian Congenital Heart Center for Pediatric Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, and Transplantation are equipped to treat and care for children with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and other serious congenital heart diseases.
We have the knowledge and the most up-to-date technology to handle your child’s critical condition. Learn about the treatment options available to your child. Join the many parents and patients traveling around the country to meet with the most thorough and expert pediatric cardiologists.