Varied manifestations of viral myocarditis.

Nine children in the age group of new born to 10 years were seen during the period October 1989 to January 1993 with varying manifestations of Myocarditis. This ranged from cardiogenic shock due to fulminant cardiac failure, recurrent wheezy episodes (mistakenly treated as bronchial asthma) bronchiolitis and rhythm disturbances. Clinical picture was collaborated by radiological evidence of cardiomegaly, ECG changes of low voltage QRS complexes with ST depression, T wave inversion or signs of left ventricular dilatation. SGOT, SGPT, CPK, LDH were elevated significantly in 7 cases. Echocardiographic changes ranged from left ventricular dilatation to global hypokinesia and mild mitral incompetence. Viral studies suggested infection with Coxsackie B1 in 4 cases, B4 in 2, B5 in 2 and Dengue 3 in 1 case. All the children recovered well with routine anti failure measures and treatment of arrhythmias and 2 children needed steroid therapy. At the end of follow up of 6 months to 1 year there has been complete reversal of ECHO changes to normal. Viral Myocarditis can manifest in varied ways in children and if treated adequately may lead to complete recovery.