DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i11.052

Pages: 3737-3746

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart muscle disorder characterizes by left ventricular (LV) dilatation and systolic dysfunction. It is a frequent cause of heart failure and the primary indication for heart transplantation. DCM is the most prevalent phenotype and is non-specific, which is caused by genetic factors, environmental factors or a combination of both. Research on dilated cardiomyopathy has however focused on the adult populations with fewer dedicated clinical trials investigating pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy. A typical diagnostic work up for a child with DCM also include a number of investigations to identify the specific cause, some of these are expensive and sophisticated. The advance center of the developing country does not have the facilities to do all of these investigations. The results of most of the tests have little impact in the treatment strategies for the child with DCM. The lack of specific clinical management guidelines has influenced the use of general management concepts of LV dysfunction and heart failure, which vary between studies. This paper therefore reviews current evidence on DCM in children to provide a better understanding of its clinical manifestations, etiology, diagnosis and clinical management.