A retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric fulminant myocarditis.

Background: The study aimed to explore clinical indicators that can predict the prognosis of children with acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) through a retrospective analysis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical indices of 79 children diagnosed with AFM and hospitalized from March 2013 to March 2023. Relevant demographic and clinical data, including symptoms at admission, laboratory results, and outcomes were extracted to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

Results: A total of 79 children with AFM were analyzed. The survival group (n = 61) had a longer median hospital stay and higher medical expenses compared to the death group (n = 18). Significant differences in the levels of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)(P < 0.001), myoglobin (MYO)(P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(P < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)(P = 0.004), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)(P = 0.005), arterial potential hydrogen (PH)(P < 0.001), bicarbonate (HCO)(P = 0.003), serum lactate (Lac)(P = 0.001), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO)(P = 0.008), and white blood cell count (WBC)(P = 0.007) were observed between the two groups. Additionally, there were significant differences in the incidences of multi-organ failure (P = 0.003) and respiratory failure (P = 0.001) between the two groups.

Conclusions: Severe myocardial injury (AST > 194.00 U/L, LDH > 637.50 U/L, MYO > 265.75 µg/L, BNP > 1738.50 ng/L), acidosis (PH < 7.29, HCO <18.45 mmol/L, Lac > 12.30 mmol/L), hypoxia (SpO < 97.50%), inflammatory response (WBC > 9.69*10/L), left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF < 28.25%), multi-organ failure, and respiratory failure are significantly associated with higher mortality rates. These factors can accurately identify AFM children at an increased risk of death.