Amdani, Shahnawaz

Background/Objectives: Pediatric heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome with diverse etiologies and presentations. Primary care providers (PCPs) are critical in early recognition, family education, and coordination of ongoing care in collaboration with pediatric cardiologists. This review provides a comprehensive guide for PCPs to understand the causes, symptoms, treatments, and longitudinal considerations for children with HF. Methods: We conducted a narrative review synthesizing published evidence and expert consensus guidelines, focusing on the clinical presentation, treatment options, and longitudinal care strategies in children with HF. Results: HF in children most commonly results from congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy, but includes a wide range of etiologies. Presenting symptoms differ by age, with subtle signs often mistaken for common pediatric illnesses. Treatments range from disease-modifying medications to surgical and transplant therapies. Psychosocial support, mental health, and family-centered care are critical components of long-term management. Conclusions: PCPs are essential partners in the care of children with HF. A proactive, collaborative, and informed approach can improve quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, and support families navigating this challenging diagnosis.

The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, created a need for evidence-based guidelines for the evaluation, management, and follow-up after infection. Data have become rapidly available, creating a challenge for medical providers to stay abreast of the ever-evolving recommendations. This article, written collaboratively by pediatric cardiovascular experts, pediatricians, and sports medicine specialists, is focused on SARS-CoV- 2-related pediatric cardiac manifestations. It aims to provide a systematic review of high-yield literature related to all cardiovascular entities as a tool for primary pediatric clinicians to utilize as they consider the cardiac consequences of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, MIS-C, vaccine-related myocarditis, return-to-play, and long COVID-19 syndrome.

While significant progress has been made in reducing disparities within the US health care system, notable gaps remain. This article explores existing disparities within pediatric congenital heart disease care. Congenital heart disease, the most common birth defect and a leading cause of infant death, has garnered substantial attention, revealing certain disparities within the US health care system. Factors such as race, ethnicity, insurance coverage, socioeconomic status, and geographic location are all commonalities that significantly affect health disparities in pediatric congenital heart disease. This comprehensive review sheds light on disparities from diverse perspectives in pediatric care, demonstrates the inequities and inequalities leading to these disparities, presents effective solutions, and issues a call to action for providers, institutions, and the health care system. Recognizing and addressing these disparities is imperative for ensuring equitable care and enhancing the long‐term well‐being of children affected by congenital heart disease. Implementing robust, evidence‐based frameworks that promote responsible and safe interventions is fundamental to enduring change.

Objectives: To longitudinally measure LV diastolic function in HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) children perinatally exposed to ART. Design: HEU children who were perinatally exposed to antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be at risk for adverse cardiac effects. We have previously reported that those children have decreased left ventricular (LV) mass, dimension, and septal thickness with increased contractility. Methods: Serial echocardiograms were obtained at specific times from birth to 48 months from two groups of HIV-uninfected children: 148 HIV-negative children who were perinatally exposed to ART and 130 non-ART-exposed HIV-unexposed healthy controls. The following LV diastolic indices were obtained: mitral valve early and late diastolic velocity (E and A), tissue Doppler-derived LV-free wall and septal early diastolic velocity (LV e′ and sep e′). Results: All echocardiographic indices were significantly different in ART-exposed children compared with ART-unexposed healthy controls. Both E and A were overall lower at all ages by 8.28 cm/s (P = 0.0002) and 13.46 cm/s (P < 0.0001) respectively. E/A ratio was higher by 0.27, 0.46, and 0.28 units at birth, 1 year and 2 years of age, respectively (all P ≤ 0.01). Moreover, LV e′ and sep e′ were overall lower at all ages by 0.84 cm/s (P = 0.01) and 0.47 cm/s (P = 0.02), respectively. Conclusion: Children who were exposed to ART in utero have subclinical yet significant differences in specific LV diastolic indices. Follow-up with serial echocardiograms are recommended in this population to further assess the potential cardiac toxicity of perinatal exposure to ART.