Paediatric Cardiomyopathies

Pediatric cardiomyopathies (CMPs) are rare disorders, characterized by anatomical, functional and electrical abnormalities of the heart muscle, with an annual incidence of 1.1 to 1.5 per 100 000. Dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies are the most common phenotypes, while the others are much rarer. The etiology is very heterogenous, including syndromes, neuromuscular disorders, metabolic and mithocondrial disorders. Also, genetic mutations occurring in structural and functional proteins of the myocyte (i.e. sarcomeric proteins) are increasingly recognised as an important cause of pediatric CMPs. Although there are little data in the literature, the natural and modified history of paediatric cardiomyopathies is likely to have changed in the last decade, and to continue to do so, as a result of improvements in mechanical support devices (e.g. ventricular assist devices in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy), pre-symptomatic diagnosis of heart muscle disease, implantation of internal cardiac defibrillators in asymptomatic gene carriers (e.g. in patients with cardiac laminopathies) and the availability of enzyme replacement therapy in many metabolic cardiomyopathies.

The aim of this Research Topic is therefore to report new insights on epidemiology, causes, genetics, clinical course, management and therapies of Paediatric Cardiomyopathies. We welcome articles on following themes:
- Epidemiology of Paediatric CMPs
- Aetiology of Paediatric CMPs
- Genetic & Non genetic Basis of Paediatric CMPs
- Clinical Course and Outcome of Paediatric CMPs
- Management and New Therapies of Paediatric CMPs