Acquired heart diseases in children: Causes, symptoms, and treatment

MEDICENTER TV / ANKARA, TURKEY — NOVEMBER 28, 2025

While heart diseases in children are often associated with congenital defects present at birth, a significant number of cardiac issues develop later in life. These conditions, known as "acquired heart diseases," can arise in a structurally normal heart due to infections, autoimmune responses, or genetic factors.

Pediatric Cardiologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Özdemir highlights that these conditions generally manifest as heart muscle or valve disorders and require careful classification for effective treatment.

Group 1: Primary Heart Muscle Diseases (Cardiomyopathies)

Cardiomyopathies are diseases of the heart muscle itself, independent of other systemic disorders.

Dilated (Congestive) Cardiomyopathy: This is the most common type. In more than 60% of cases, the exact cause is unknown. The heart's pumping function is impaired, leading to the enlargement of both the atria and ventricles.

Symptoms include fatigue, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), fluid accumulation in the lungs, and liver enlargement. While medication helps, many patients may eventually require a heart transplant.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Characterized by a thickening of the ventricle muscles, this condition is often genetic. It is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. While the heart contracts vigorously, it cannot relax enough to fill with blood properly.

Treatment aims to improve ventricular relaxation, often requiring restrictions on competitive sports.

Other Types:

• Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: Rare hardening of the ventricle walls.

• Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Muscle tissue in the right ventricle is replaced by fat or fibrous tissue.

• Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy: A result of arrested development of the heart muscle during fetal life, leading to a "spongy" appearance.

Group 2: Heart Infections and Inflammatory Conditions

Acquired heart diseases are frequently triggered by viral or bacterial infections.

Infective Endocarditis: This is an inflammation of the heart's inner lining and valves. It often occurs when bacteria (from the mouth or blood) settle on damaged areas of the heart.

Kawasaki Disease: Also known as Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome, this condition is critical due to its potential to damage coronary arteries. Symptoms include high fever lasting at least 5 days, "strawberry tongue," red palms/soles, and peeling skin.

Myocarditis and Pericarditis: Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, often viral, which can be fatal in infants. Pericarditis is the inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart.

Group 3: Rheumatic Fever and Valve Diseases

Acute Rheumatic Fever: Caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria (commonly known as "Strep throat"), this condition can damage heart valves if the initial throat infection is not treated correctly. It remains a leading cause of acquired heart disease in developing regions.

Heart Valve Diseases: Conditions such as mitral valve prolapse or aortic insufficiency can develop later in childhood due to rheumatic fever or other acquired causes.

Contact Information: For all inquiries regarding congenital and acquired pediatric heart diseases: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Özdemir, Pediatric Cardiology Specialist.

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