Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy management during childhood

Editors-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [mailto:mgibson@perfuse.org]

Overview
If available the pediatric cardiologist should provide care to a child with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Epidemiology Demographics
30,000 children are affected by a cardiomyopathy of any type (dilated, hypertrophic, restricted, non-compaction cardiomyopathy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).

Screening
Once HCM has been identified in a family, immediate testing of all family members will help to identify those at risk.

Symptoms
Children often do not show signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Some children may squat after exertion to increase their preload (i.e may exhibit "Tet spells" similar to Tetralogy of Fallot). The first symptom a child may display is sudden cardiac arrest.

Treatment
Beta blockers are often prescribed as the first medical treatment for HCM in children.