Etiology and complications of acute myocarditis in children in Latvia in 2017‑2021

Introduction: Acute myocarditis is a rare, but dangerous inflammatory disease. It can become a cause of child’s death, especially in infants. Diagnosis may be challenging because of variable clinical presentation. Often the etiology
of this disease cannot be found. Prognosis of acute myocarditis is also variable. Aim: To analyze and summarise the data from the medical history of patients with acute myocarditis in the system and archive of the Children’s Clinical University Hospital.
Materials and Methods: This study included 25 patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis aged 0‑18 years. The data were analyzed according to the diagnostic criteria for acute myocarditis in children.
Results: A total of 25 patients with acute myocarditis were included in the study, of whom 28% (n=7) were female and 72%(n=18) were male. 76% (n=19) of patients survived, but 24% (n=6) died. In 48% (n=12) of cases, the cause of acute
myocarditis was found, but for 52% (n=13) it was unclear. In 20% (n=5) of patients, it was connected with the COVID‑19 virus or vaccine. 16% (n=4) of cases were caused by other viruses. Of the total number of patients who died,
83% (n=5) of them were infants. All of the deceased patient’s diagnosis of acute myocarditis were confirmed during autopsy. All of the surviving patients were older than one year. Out of those patients, who survived, 26% (n=5) had
cardiovascular complications.
Conclusions: Acute myocarditis can cause many complications, including death of the patient. In half of the cases no cause can be found. Diagnostic is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms.