4-Year-Old Girl Hospitalized with Fever, Abdominal Pain, and Vomiting Diagnosed with Fulminant Myocarditis

(CNA) Hsinchu City, July 2 (CNA) National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch reported that a 4-year-old girl, who had been suffering from a continuous fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain for three days, was initially thought to have gastroenteritis. However, upon examination, she was diagnosed with the life-threatening condition "fulminant myocarditis." Fortunately, after emergency rescue and treatment, her condition stabilized, and she has since been discharged to recuperate.

The Hsinchu Branch of National Taiwan University Hospital stated in a press release today that upon arrival at the hospital, the girl exhibited signs of general weakness, rapid heart rate, respiratory distress, and shock. Blood tests and imaging revealed elevated cardiac troponin levels, and a cardiac ultrasound showed decreased left ventricular systolic function, left ventricular dilation, and mitral regurgitation, leading to a diagnosis of acute fulminant myocarditis.

Dr. Wu Kai-yu, a pediatric emergency physician at the Hsinchu Branch of National Taiwan University Hospital, stated that the girl's condition deteriorated rapidly within an hour of arrival, developing a life-threatening arrhythmia, "ventricular tachycardia." Despite emergency medication and cardiotonic treatment, her condition could not be controlled. ECMO was then used to temporarily support her cardiopulmonary function, allowing her to overcome the acute cardiac inflammation phase. Under the care of the intensive care team, the girl's cardiac function gradually recovered, and she was discharged in good health.

Dr. Wu pointed out that the initial symptoms of pediatric myocarditis are often similar to gastroenteritis or the common cold, primarily presenting as abdominal pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite, which can easily delay the golden treatment window. Furthermore, children, unlike adults, do not actively express chest pain discomfort, making clinical diagnosis more challenging.

Pediatric myocarditis is mostly caused by viral infections. Dr. Wu said that common pathogens include enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and influenza viruses. When viruses invade the myocardium and damage heart function, the disease course can rapidly worsen. Fulminant myocarditis can lead to sudden death, impaired cardiac contractility, arrhythmias, or even irreversible damage such as dilated cardiomyopathy.

With the recent prevalence of enteroviruses and respiratory viruses, Dr. Wu advised that if a child develops extreme fatigue, lethargy, a significant decrease in activity levels after an infection, or persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, pale complexion, cold extremities, or even chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, or fainting, they should be taken to the hospital for prompt evaluation to seize the golden treatment window. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150702

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