Paediatric viral myocarditis successfully treated with interferon beta-1b and corticoids

What is known and objective In paediatrics, evidence regarding the treatment of viral myocarditis using interferon beta-1B is restricted to four children older than two years and there are no reported cases of infants. The objective was to describe the efficacy and safety of interferon beta-1B in two infants under one year of age with viral myocarditis. Case summary Two infants were admitted to the hospital presenting with respiratory symptoms. Echocardiogram showed myocardial damage. Parvovirus-B19 was detected using a PCR assay, and treatment with interferon beta-1B was initiated. Six months later, the cardiac function had recovered in both cases. What is new and conclusion This is the first published series of cases of infants less than 1 year of age with viral myocarditis treated with interferon beta-1B.

Automated summary

This study described the efficacy and safety of interferon beta-1B treatment in two infants under one year of age with viral myocarditis, showing recovery of cardiac function in both cases after six months. This is the first published series of cases in infants of this age group treated with interferon beta-1B.