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Following the death of an eight-year-old girl due to sudden cardiac arrest in Chamarajanagar, paediatricians have noted that such sudden cardiac events are extremely rare and could occur due to inherited conditions or severe allergic reactions.
“Most cases do not present with any tell-tale signs. There could be multiple causes for such sudden deaths. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a well-known condition that is seen in children as well. Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) or a massive myocardial infarction (heart attack) could also occur,” said
Dr Manjunath Sharma, a paediatrician in south Bengaluru.
He added that a pre-existing but undetected condition is most likely the reason why sudden cardiac events occur.
A severe undetected allergic reaction could also lead to a severe cardiac event, noted another doctor.
Dr Rajath Athreya, lead neonatologist and senior consultant pediatric at a private hospital, said there is a possibility of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction that can cause the body to go into shock, narrowing airways and dropping one’s blood pressure.
Thorough evaluation
“Some conditions are so rare that they might not be picked up early (antenatal or postnatal periods). However, if you have a child willing to go for an extreme competitive sport, then getting a thorough evaluation, including a cardiac test, is recommended,” he said.
Dr Dhanalakshmi R, paediatrician, neonatologist and lactation consultant at a private hospital, said the eight-year-old child’s case was rare as there were no health variations.
“When it comes to examining the child, diet and allergies are important to track. In such cases, it could also be due to familial inheritance of cardiac issues or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat),” she said.
She highlighted that eating disorders could also cause Vitamin D deficiency, which could have an impact on overall health of children.
“It is important for parents to ensure that there is a balance of regular physical exercise as well as regulated amount of screen time in the child’s life,” she added.