Viral Myocarditis in Children: A Review

Abstract

In viral myocarditis, viral invasion of the heart can lead to direct and indirect inflammatory destruction of the myocardium. Various etiological agents, ranging from enterovirus to adenovirus can cause myocarditis. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous and can end up in a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype, leading to major mortality, morbidity, and years lost in children. Early recognition and diagnosis with echocardiogram, endomyocardial biopsy, and cardiac MRI is important. Treatment options include with immunosuppression and immunomodulation in the early phases and may require cardiac transplantation in end-stage heart failure.