[Dilated cardiomyopathy in childhood: clinical aspects, echocardiographic diagnosis].

The authors report a study of 30 patients admitted to hospital between January 1982 and August 1994 for dilatative cardiomyopathy. The majority of children were under one year old. At the time of admittance all patients were suffering from congestive heart decompensation. A clinical examination, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray led to a suspected diagnosis of dilatative cardiomyopathy, and mono, 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography constantly showed left atrial and ventricular failure, widespread parietal hypokinesia and associated mitralic insufficiency, all of which represent the essential data for a full and reliable diagnosis of this disease. Echocardiography also allowed the evolution of the pathology to be followed non-invasively without risk for such small patients. The authors underline the value of clinical data and in particular echocardiographic findings in the diagnosis and management of dilatative cardiomyopathy.