Clinical features and outcomes of childhood dilated cardiomyopathy: Results from a national population-based study

Abstract

BACKGROUND - Despite considerable mortality, population-based prognostic factors for childhood dilated cardiomyopathy are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS - A population-based cohort study was undertaken of all children in Australia who presented with cardiomyopathy at age 0 to 10 years between January 1, 1987, and December 31, 1996. A single cardiologist analyzed all cardiac investigations, and a single pathologist analyzed histopathological material. There were 184 subjects with dilated cardiomyopathy. Positive viral identification or lymphocytic myocarditis was found in 30 (68.2%) of 44 cases with available early histology and 8 of 9 cases presenting with sudden death. Freedom from death or t..