title: Pediatric idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: A single center experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) is a severe illness with high mortality in the pediatric population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To highlight our experience about clinical course and outcome of IDCM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients' files were reviewed retrospectively for diagnosed cases of IDCM in the pediatric cardiology unit of King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from Jan 2003 to Jun 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data about full history, clinical examination and investigations were recorded and grouped according to outcome as alive and well (group 1), alive and symptomatic (group 2) and worsened or dead (group 3).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was subjected to descriptive analysis. Chi-square and Student's paired t-test techniques were used where appropriate. Spearman rank correlation and survival analysis was done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty three patients were included with presenting age median (range), i.e.,14 (2 months-12 years) with females predominance 53 (63.9%). On presentation; cardiomegaly was noted in 72 (86.7%) with increased lung vascularity in 45 (54%). Sixty-one (74%) patients had ST segment and T-wave changes on electrocardiogram, while the same number had left ventricular hypertrophy, and 15 (18%) had arrhythmias. Echocardiography records on presentation and at last follow-up showed significant difference in several areas. Group 1 had 40 (48.2%), Group 2 had 23 (27.7%) while 20 (24.1%) were in Group 3 including nine cases who died. Survival rate over three years was 78%. Older the age, worse was the outcome (Spearman's rho = 0.3, P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of subjects were presented during first year of life; the three year survival rate was 78%. Favorable outcome was correlated with younger age at presentation.
authors: Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Ahmad S
authors: AS
authors: Azhar
keywords: Cardiomyopathy; echocardiography; mortality; survival
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