title: Chronic pericardial constriction with effusion in childhood.
abstract: Five cases of children with nontuberculosis pericardial constriction with effusion are reported. The disease is not as rare as has been thought, and the aetiology in these cases was probably a previous virus infection. A previous diagnosis of hepatitis, nephrotic syndrome, or protein-losing enteropathy had been made and the correct diagnosis was delayed for months or even years. Pericardiectomy produced immediate relief from symptoms in 2 patients but in 2 others there was evidence of poor myocardial function postoperatively.
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications