Pediatric heart failure (PHF) affects 0.87 to 7.4 per 100,000 children. It has a 5-year mortality or heart transplant rate of 40%. Diagnosis often is delayed because initial symptoms are similar to common pediatric illnesses. Disease progression is tracked by symptoms, echocardiogram, and biomarkers. Treatment is extrapolated from mostly adult heart failure (HF) literature. Recent studies demonstrate differences between pediatric and adult HF pathophysiology. Increased collaboration among PHF programs is advancing the management of PHF. Unfortunately, there are patients who ultimately require heart transplantation, with increasing numbers supported by a ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation.
Keywords: Cardiomyopathy in infants and children; Heart failure in congenital heart disease; Heart failure in pediatric acquired heart disease; Pediatric heart failure.
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