title: [An 11-month-year-old girl with repeated respiratory infections].
abstract: Hidden behind subtle symptoms and unspecific signs, heart failure in children can pose a significant challenge regarding diagnostic approach as well as treatment strategy. A case report is presented for an 11-month-year-old girl with recurrent airway infections and signs of cardiac failure as a consequence of ventricular non-compaction. This disease is morphologically distinct; most likely a developmental defect of the ventricular myocardium. It is characterized by heterogeneity regarding both heredity, age of presentation, symptoms, hemodynamic disturbances, prognosis and therapeutic approach. In general, a symptomatic child with non-compaction has a poor prognosis with a prospect of severe cardiac failure and death. The article summarises how to approach a child presenting with cardiac failure; i.e. initial evaluation, diagnostic and initial stabilizing procedures and alternative treatment strategies. We also discuss specific treatment of ventricular non-compaction and briefly report on children with non-compaction at the largest pediatric cardiology centre in Norway.
authors.affiliation: Barneavdelingen, Sykehuset Innlandet Lillehammer, 2619 Lillehammer, Norway. mholten@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Mads N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Holten-Andersen
authors.forename: Dag
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sulheim
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Indrebø
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holmström
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain