Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Children

Dilated cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients is characterized by an enlarged left ventricle with decreased systolic function. While the echocardiographic findings are similar between children and adults with dilated cardiomyopathy, age-related differences in underlying etiologies as well as adaptations to heart failure exist, which impact potential therapies and outcomes. Both the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy in children and risk stratification after diagnosis can be challenging. The prognosis for children with dilated cardiomyopathy is widely variable, with some progressing toward heart transplantation or heart-failure related death, while others experience improvement in their heart failure symptomatology.