Pericarditis
Pericarditis
is inflammation or infection of the pericardium,
the thin sac (membrane) that surrounds the heart.
There is a small amount of fluid between the inner
and outer layers of the pericardium. When the
pericardium becomes inflamed, the amount of fluid
between its two layers increases, compressing
the heart and interfering with the heart's ability
to function properly.
In children,
pericarditis is most likely to occur following
surgery to repair congenital (present at birth)
heart defects or acquired heart disease. However,
other causes may include the following:
- infection (viral, bacterial,
fungal, parasitic)
- chest trauma or injury
- connective tissue disorders
such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)
The
following are the most common symptoms of pericarditis.
However, each child may experience symptoms differently.
Symptoms may include:
- chest pain that:
- can be felt especially
behind the breastbone, and sometimes beneath
the clavicle (collarbone), neck, and left
shoulder.
- is a sharp, piercing
pain over the center or left side of the
chest that increases as the child takes
a deep breath.
- a low-grade fever
- irritability
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- irregular heartbeat
Children
may not be able to describe that they have "chest
pain" or be able to explain how they feel. Sometimes,
non-specific symptoms such as irritability, loss
of appetite, or fatigue will be all that the child
is able to express. The symptoms of pericarditis
may resemble other medical conditions or heart
problems. Always consult your child's physician
for a diagnosis.
Your
child's physician may have heard an abnormal heart
sound called a rub, which occurs when there is
irritation of the pericardial membranes. In addition
to a complete medical history and physical examination,
diagnostic for pericarditis may include:
- blood tests (to evaluate
the degree of inflammation).
- chest x-ray -
a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic
energy beams to produce images of internal tissues,
bones, and organs onto film.
- echocardiography (echo)
- a procedure that evaluates the
structure and function of the heart by using
sound waves recorded on an electronic sensor
that produce a moving picture of the heart and
heart valves.
Specific
treatment for pericarditis will be determined
by your child's physician based on:
- your child's age, overall
health, and medical history
- extent of the disease
- cause of the disease
- your child's tolerance
for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the
course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
The
goal of treatment for pericarditis is to determine
and eliminate the cause of the disease. Treatment
may include:
- medication (i.e., analgesics
and anti-inflammatory drugs)
- aspiration (removal)
of excess fluid
- surgery
Consult
your child's physician for more information.
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