Burns Cardiomyopathy in a Nigerian Child

Abstract

DCM following thermal injury is rare, it has been reported in nearly 7% of children who sustained more than 70% burn injuries. The cardiomyopathy following burns often presents weeks to months after the injury.The cause is unknown although inflammatory mediators may play an aetiologic role. The cardiomyopathy resulting from this is reversible with appropriate medical management. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no reported cases in African children hence we present an eight year boy in apparent sound state of health before the burns he suffered. He developed features of congestive cardiac failure due to onset of dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to the injuries suffered from burns. He was commenced on tablet enalapril, digoxin, multivitamins, aspirin and calcium tablets. He improved clinically, his ejection fraction gradually improved on echocardiography was discharged after six weeks on admission. His became symptom free remarkably and he resumed school. He has been stable on follow, the last ejection fraction on follow up one year after diagnosis was 56%.