Pericarditis
This is a disease condition of the heart characterized by the presence of serofibrinous or purulent scanty exudate or the effusion of appreciable amounts of serous fluid in the pericardial sac.
These are the primary causes related to pericarditis:
- Rheumatic fever
- Viral
- Bacterial
- Parasitic
- mycotic infections
- trauma to the heart
Secondary causes may be the following:
- congestive heart failure
- uremia
- collagen
- neoplastic
- hematologic diseases
What are the clinical manifestations of Pericarditis in children? Please see the following:
- Pain is usually present
- described as piercing or dull, located at the precordium and may be referred to the shoulder, neck or back
- the pain is aggravated by inspiration, coughing, swallowing and any movement
- Edema
- Ascites
- Liver enlargement (hepatomegaly)
- On physical examinations, the physician will detect changes in the heart sounds and pulses of the patient
The diagnosis of Pericarditis depends on a triad of findings which includes:
- Chest pain
- Presence of friction rub as detected on Physical examination by a physician
- ECG findings of elevation of the S-T segment
Chest x-ray findings may show “water bottle” or “pear-shaped” shadow and this depends upon the amount of the fluid accumulated in the pericardial sac. Doing Echocardiography has proven to be one of the most useful advances in establishing the diagnosis of fluid in the pericardial space.
How are the children with pericarditis being managed? Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Oxygen supplementation, aspirin and morphine may be given. And if indicated, steroids are also administered.