Pediatricsadvanced
Why can HCM be clinically important even in an asymptomatic child?
Answer
Some children with HCM have no symptoms but remain at risk of sudden death from arrhythmia. HCM may also first be detected through a murmur or family screening. Symptoms, when present, may include exertional dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations, angina, dizziness, and syncope.
Explanation
Absence of symptoms does not establish absence of risk. The slides explicitly note that **asymptomatic children are at risk of sudden death**, while some cases are discovered through a murmur or evaluation of a family member. This makes family history and screening clinically important. **Key takeaway:** In HCM, symptom status alone cannot be used to dismiss arrhythmic risk.\n\n**Glossary:** **Arrhythmia**: An abnormal heart rhythm. **Syncope**: Transient loss of consciousness.
Related Questions
- Which factors are associated with higher ARF occurrence or susceptibility? Select ALL that apply.(intermediate)
- Explain why ARF remains an important public-health problem despite declining incidence in many industrialized countries.(intermediate)
- Acute rheumatic fever occurs most frequently in children and adolescents aged 5 to 15 years.(basic)
- After a prior episode of ARF, recurrence following untreated GAS pharyngitis can approach 50%.(intermediate)
- The highest incidence of ARF occurs in children aged approximately _____ years.(basic)
Want to practice more questions like this?
Join myBenkio free and practice past questions for your Nigerian university courses with AI explanations for every answer.
Start Practicing Free