[Myocarditis in children affected by dengue hemorrhagic fever in a teaching hospital in Colombia].
OBJECTIVE
To determining myocarditis frequency in children suffering from DHF in the Huila region of Colombia.


METHODS
This was a descriptive and prospective study which was carried out between March 2005 and October 2005 involving 102 patients suffering from DHF, based on WHO criteria. These children were followed-up to identify signs of myocarditis.


RESULTS
10.7 % of the children had signs of myocarditis; one of them was classified as having dengue II and the other ten were classified as suffering form dengue III and IV. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.0004). 10 patients had fulminant myocarditis and required early inotropic support. Two patients had tachyarrythmias in the EKG (one SV and one ventricular); the others had sinusal bradichardia and low voltages. Echocardiograms were perfomed on 50 % of the children, revealing pericardial leakage grade I and II in two patients, one with very diminished EF and AF. Average hospital stay was 7 days. 10 had satisfactory outcome whereas one died.


CONCLUSIONS
This series of cases in children reinforces the association between myocarditis and dengue viral infection.
Salgado
Doris M
DM
Facultad de Salud, Universidad Surcolombiana, Neiva, Colombia. domasal59@yahoo.com
Panqueba
Cesar A
CA
Castro
Dolly
D
R Vega
Martha
M
Rodríguez
Jairo A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019595:Severe Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology*