Insist on including cardiac diagnostic imaging as part of your child's next sick visit!

RISE IN PEDIATRIC MYOCARDITIS
Clinical studies and public reports indicate a recent national rise in Acute MYOCARDITIS cases in children and teens with the risk as high as 35+ times for children infected with Covid-19. [1][2] Scientific statements by the AHA indicate that viral infection is the #1 cause of inflammation in the heart muscle (the myocardium) weakening the heart's performance and electrical system. Severe cases can result in abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure or shock. Minimally or non-invasive testing is available to detect the presence of myocarditis including blood tests or medical imaging to scan for visible injury to the heart muscle or abnormalities in heart function (pericarditis) [3]. It is recommended to maintain regular checkups for children and watch for sudden fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, chest pain and palpitations.

COVID-19 MYOCARDITIS
Viral infection may be inferred by the common dermatologic manifestations of Covid-19 rash on the digits of the fingers and toes. Imaging with optical technologies and ultrasound may verify vascular occlusion or inflammatory vasculitis typical of this multifactorial disorder. [4*]

MORBIDITY IN CHILDREN & THE 2022 NATIONAL ADVOCACY
Under a 2019 study by the University Clinical Center of Kosovo indicated that myocarditis is the cause of sudden death in the pediatric community- resulted from "inflammatory infiltrates that act as arrhythmogenic foci, leading to fatal arrhythmia. Studies of sudden infant death syndrome have linked infection with viruses such as enterovirus, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, and Epstein-Barr virus and myocarditis to sudden infant death syndrome victims"[5]. Acute myocarditis is most prevalent with viral causes- often shown by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of myocardial tissue. Noninfectious causes of myocarditis include autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, medications, and toxins [6]. A wide set of reactions include mild symptoms to severe heart failure. Partial or full clinical recovery is reported in a few days to advanced low cardiac output syndrome requiring mechanical circulatory support or heart transplantation. Pediatric myocarditis remains challenging from the perspectives of diagnosis and management.

STANDARDIZED DIAGNOSTICS
As with any critical disorder, detecting early stages of myocarditis can allow for higher opportunity to manage, reduce or even prevent the health risk. In children and young athletes, symptoms may include: Breathing issues, Fever, Fainting, Chest pressure/pain and Rapid/irregular heart rhythms. In adults, symptoms range from chest pain, shortness of breath, at rest or during activity and fluid buildup with swelling of the legs, ankles and feet. To prevent possible heart damage, a cardiologist may order one of a number of imaging options. [7] [8] [9]

▪ Heart MRI (Cardiac MRI). A cardiac MRI shows your heart's size, shape and structure. This test can show signs of inflammation of the heart muscle. [10]

▪ Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick and painless test shows your heart's electrical patterns and can detect irregular heartbeats. [11]

▪ Chest X-Ray: An X-ray image shows the size and shape of your heart, as well as whether you have fluid in or around the heart that might be related to heart failure. [12]

▪ Blood Tests: There are no specific blood tests to confirm the diagnosis of myocarditis; however, an otherwise unexplained elevation in troponin (a blood test that indicates heart muscle damage) and/or electrocardiographic features of cardiac injury are supportive [13]. Blood tests for Troponins (proteins in the blood which are released when the heart muscle has been damaged), BNP (a blood test that measures levels of a protein that is made by your heart and blood vessels.) [14]

▪ Doppler Ultrasound for Acute Myocarditis: Another diagnostic solution that's made available for bedside imaging of poor cardiac contractility from myocarditis and pericardial effusion is the use of a Point of Care Ultrasound. Case reports demonstrate the estimation of left ventricular function abnormalities [15]. Other advanced studies employing Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and molecular imaging have been used to can detect endothelial inflammation in the left ventricle [16].

▪ Cardiovascular MR Elastography (MRE): Classical MRE uses an external mechanical transducer to assess the viscoelastic properties of cardiac soft tissues which is technically difficult in an MR suite due to probe placement and ECG lead distribution. Using the wave genereted by the valve closure is now possible. [17*]

▪ Ultrasound Elastography: Elastography for tissue plasticity has been used worldwide for 15 years and recent studies have reported myocardial stiffness expressed in kilopascal (kPa) instead of shear wave velocity. Vibrations related to aortic valve closure generated MR detectable data allowing clinical data at multiple depths in the pediatric patient which was difficult in the adult subject. [18*][19*]

CLICK for References. All (*) marked with asterisk are textbook based (non-web) references and are avaiable below this page.
THE 2022 NATIONAL "ONE VOICE" FOR CHILDREN COLLECTIVE
In Feb. 2022, lead directors of The AngioFoundation, The NY Cancer Resource Alliance and publishers of PREVENTION101.org forged a collaborative outreach community project with the For Elysa Foundation (myocarditis awareness org) to form a national coalition of clinical support associations, research foundations, researchers and parent groups dedicated to the awareness of rare pediatric diseases and critical disorders. This collective concept called "MOMMIES ON A MISSION" is a unique and remarkable platform that aspires to support the many pediatric disorders that plague today's children.

Known as 'Project One", Mommies on a Mission will launch the ONE VOICE crusade to leverage new awarness response for the deadly health threat of Myocarditis in America's children. "MOMMIES ON A MISSION" is a creative title Mrs. Jana Rojas (director of For Elysa Foundation) used to describe her fellow advocates who, like her, established a dedicated benevolent program to battle pediatric myocarditis through education, awareness and to support clinical research. Even more are driven to forge standardized screening of myocarditis as part of a national prevention and early detection initiative. "Losing another child to this terrible and insidious disease is one child too many! It's time we joined hands with all groups, legislators, medical societies and anyone who can make a difference. We hope to deploy a multi-stage battle plan to address this disease and enact new solutions in every pediatrician's office!", states Dr. Noelle Cutter (Molloy College, NY Cancer Resource Alliance).
REMOTE PEDIATRIC IMAGING:
BDI partners with most qualified pediatricians and other specialists who tend to the many diagnostic needs of children. Through the power of the digital ultrasound platform, our growing community of TELEMED PARTNERS (ranging from medical practitioners, pain healers, specialists and health centers) now support the positive use of collaborative communication and imaging technologies to widen their ability to help our common young patients. Creating a united alliance of like-minded caregivers have helped assemble the information that we now have to help one another with their patients and ours. Together, we aspire to offer more ways for patients to get access to the help they need while employing efficient and safer alternatives to receiving professional health care. See Feature article. See Feature article

AWARENESS IS JOB 1!

This program is a simple plan to keep cancer away- or increase the likelihood of beating cancer with the comprehensive Early Detection & Prevention plan. In each case, much can be done to prevent the current stage. The first step is to GET MORE FAMILIAR WITH YOURSELF.

• Take account of your child's genetic lineage: risk of complex health issues (including cancers) increase upon heredity. The first place to look is within your own DNA or family history. Many issues tend to travel down generations. It can also have the tendency to skip one generation and appear in the next one. (see expanded feature: "INHERITING CANCER" in Journal of Modern Healing )

• Periodic Checking for any anomalies Children get bumps and bruises. To all parents, education in discerning the kind of lumps, bumps, discolored bruises or growths that can be of concern should mean an immediate call to your pediatrician. Also stay on top of your child's unusual feelings like frequent headaches, unique pains and strains- anything that feels out of the ordinary. Take nothing for granted when it comes to your body.

• Know your child's environment: Many health issues are known to be caused by environmental toxins. Where you sleep, eat and work could be affecting how you feel later. Some health hazards are fairly visible and apparent while others may need some historical research in your area where there may have been potential chemical wastes or spills in the past. If you know of such issues, further research, demographic studies, protective measures and targeted checkups may be your next step.

ADDITIONAL LINKS: IDENTIFICATION OF WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM AND HOW TO BOOST IT
PARTNERSHIPS:
For over 35 years, Bard Diagnostic Imaging has become the patient care community's most trusted source for diagnostic imaging and accurate medical reporting. For pre/post procedural scans to regular screenings to in-depth analyses of complex disorders, specialists have trusted Dr. Bard and his team with their patients to deliver comprehensive scans with very little or no wait time. BDI is recognized worldwide for the most thorough experience-based interpretive studies, where REMOTE OVERREADING and TELEHEALTH have become the sensible access to the benefits of our imaging practice. In 2021, BDI joined national health associations including the Integrative Pain Healers Alliance- expanding Dr. Bard's " call of duty" on a national scale. In addition, other patient care communities like professionals in functional medicine, pain management, cancer surgeons, neuro-therapeutics the aesthetics professionals all recognize the value of their alliance with our specialized diagnostic imaging.

REFERENCES:
1) COVID-19 Vaccination–Associated Myocarditis in Adolescents | American Academy of Pediatrics / Nov. 1, 2021- https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/148/5/e2021053427/181357/COVID-19-Vaccination-Associated-Myocarditis-in
2) Study: Myocarditis risk 37 times higher for children with COVID-19 than uninfected peers / American Academy of Pediatrics / NAugust 31, 2021 - https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/16388/Study-Myocarditis-risk-37-times-higher-for
3) Viruses are the most common cause of myocarditis in children, experts offer guidance / American Heart Association - July 07, 2021: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/viruses-are-the-most-common-cause-of-myocarditis-in-children-experts-offer-guidance
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