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Myocarditis in children

Myocarditis – inflammation of heart muscle. In children it develops mainly due to infectious diseases, allergic reactions, poisoning toxins and congenital.

Congenital myocarditis from the first days of life manifested by such symptoms as pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath. Sick children get tired quickly during breast feeding, body weight is often low, the weight increases very slowly. The boundaries of the heart enlarged, appears tachycardia, dull heart.

Acquired myocarditis is a consequence of infections including influenza and SARS. In addition to shortness of breath and weakness, in children, nausea, vomiting, cyanosis. Sick children sleep very restlessly, they have deteriorating appetite, can happen fainting.

Myocarditis is quite a common disease in children. It is found in most of the cases in boys. Infectious myocarditis occurs most frequently in children four to five years and adolescents.

The causes of disease in children are diverse: it could be a viral or fungal infection, bacteria, toxins or even protozoa. Also, the child may become infected in the womb.

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The symptoms of myocarditis in children

Intrauterine myocarditis is usually discovered in the first months of life due to the emergence of advanced heart failure. The child is listless, he has an enlarged liver, there is muscle weakness, swelling, shortness of breath, cyanosis, tachycardia, lag in physical development. Medical examination of myocarditis shows the expansion of the boundaries of the heart, increasing its size. ECG examination reflects atrioventricular block; according to the results of echocardiography left ventricular cavity and left atrium are dilated.

Myocarditis may manifest itself in three forms: acute, subacute and chronic.

Sometimes in children myocarditis can occur with hidden cardiac symptoms or asymptomatic.


The treatment of myocarditis in children

Acute myocarditis in children treated in a stationary mode. The patient shows a strict bed rest and quiet. At this disease are prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs (voltaren, indomethacin), glucocorticoid hormones. In severe cases, use oxygen therapy. Treatment is also subject to heart failure, conduction disorders and arrhythmia. To do this, patients prescribed means to improve metabolism in the myocardium and vitamins.

In infants the prognosis of myocarditis is often unfavorable, but with adequate intensive treatment recovery is possible. Pre-school children and students seem to tolerate myocarditis, for their disease is benign.

In chronic myocarditis in 30-50 % of cases may relapse, leading to the development of chronic heart failure. In such cases, the therapy is complex, it is recommended that fixed (6-8 weeks) and Spa treatment.

After recovery the child is subject to dispensary observation: it needs to be inspected every 3-6 months for five years.

Among the complications of myocarditis isolated infarction, pericarditis, hypertrophy of the myocardium and so on.


Prevention of myocarditis in children. Tips for parents

As mentioned above, the heart of the baby may suffer in the Wake of various infectious diseases, including flu and colds. To avoid the development of myocarditis after recovery, parents should carefully monitor the child's condition.

First of all, you need to pay attention to how baby takes physical exertion, how often does rest, see whether he had shortness of breath after outdoor games. Lethargy, fatigue, moods and appetite loss – a reason to immediately consult a pediatric cardiologist.

Even if the anxiety symptoms of myocarditis were not observed, try to limit physical activity your child after the flu. The baby needs to eat, walk and sleep at the same time. The diet includes foods that strengthen the heart muscle.

It is also necessary to measure the pulse of the child in a calm state. Remember: the norm is for babies 150-160 beats per minute; for one year old children, 120 BPM; for a 5-year – 100.

Vaccination against influenza is also one of the prevention tools: this way you will be able to protect the child from infection and from infectious myocarditis.

Diet for children with myocarditis

Children with myocarditis, need special nourishment. In milder forms of the disease should limit intake of carbohydrates:eliminate from the diet of white bread, baking, chocolate; limit pasta, pancakes and fritters. Should give up nourishing broths and soups, fatty meat, smoked, spicy and salty products.

Fruits and berries, no doubt, beneficial to health, but in myocarditis the child can not give plums, quince, grapes, hard apples and pears.

What doctors recommend in children with myocarditis?

Bakery products should be replaced by cakes and pancakes without yeast. It is helpful to give your child low-fat chicken, beef and liver. Fish can be eaten pike, hake, perch, cod, Pollock. Eggs need to eat carefully, no more than three pieces a week (preferably in the form of an omelette).

Milk and milk products (curd, kefir, yogurt, sour cream) a sick child can be given safely. Recommended vegetables potatoes, beets, carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes and cucumbers, lettuce, parsley. The child can eat any porridge, soft fruits and dried fruits; sweet – honey, marmalade, marshmallow and jam.