What are the early symptoms of myocarditis in children?

The heart is actually one of the most important organs of the human body. Without the heart, humans probably would not be able to survive. Although people's living standards have greatly improved now, various diseases have emerged, which requires prevention. In the hospital, many children come for treatment because they suffer from myocarditis. So, what are the early symptoms of myocarditis in children?

The severity of the disease varies. Severe cases may lead to death from acute heart failure and arrhythmia. Mild cases have no obvious symptoms and are not discovered until the chronic stage when dilated cardiomyopathy forms.

1. Acute phase

New onset, clinical symptoms are obvious and changeable, the course of the disease usually does not exceed 6 months. Mild symptoms include fatigue, followed by sweating, paleness, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, and lack of energy. Examination may reveal pale complexion, cyanosis around the mouth, a dull first heart sound at the apex, a soft blowing-like systolic murmur, and sometimes premature contractions. Less medium-sized. The onset is acute. In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, fatigue is prominent, and older children often complain of precordial pain. Acute onset may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Examination revealed a fast or slow heart rate, or an irregular heart rhythm. The child may be irritable, have cyanosis around the mouth, cold hands and feet, and cold sweats.

The heart may be slightly enlarged, with dull heart sounds, a blowing-like systolic murmur at the apex, and may have a gallop rhythm and/or various arrhythmias. Low blood pressure, low pulse pressure difference, enlarged liver, and some lungs have rales. Severe cases are rare and present in an fulminant manner with an acute onset, leading to heart failure or sudden cardiogenic shock within 2 days. The child may experience extreme fatigue, dizziness, irritability, vomiting, and pain or pressure in the precordial area. Some have difficulty breathing, sweat profusely, and have cold and clammy skin. Infants will refuse to eat, become fussy, weak, have cold hands and feet, and have difficulty breathing. Examination revealed pale complexion, cyanotic lips, cold limbs, cyanotic fingers and toes, weak or undetectable pulse, and low or unmeasurable blood pressure. The heart sounds are dull, the first heart sound at the apex is almost inaudible, a systolic murmur may be present, and there is often a gallop rhythm, tachycardia, bradycardia or severe arrhythmia. There may be rales in the lungs and the liver may enlarge rapidly. Some people develop acute left heart failure and pulmonary edema. The disease progresses rapidly and if rescue is not timely, it may be life-threatening.

2. Relocation period

After the acute phase, clinical symptoms recur, electrocardiogram and X-ray changes persist, and laboratory tests show signs of disease activity. The course of the disease is usually more than 6 months.

3. Chronic stage

Progressive heart enlargement or recurrent heart failure, with a course of more than 1 year. The chronic stage is more common in children. Some have an insidious onset and become chronic when discovered. Some are due to insufficient rest or untimely treatment during the acute stage, which leads to repeated recurrences and the chronic stage. Death often lasts for years and results in infection, arrhythmia or heart failure.