Treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in childhood

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in children is a rare disorder characterized by marked diversity both in terms of etiology and outcome. These factors combine to limit the body of data available concerning the impact of therapy on outcome, particularly when considered in a cause-specific fashion. Because of the limited pediatric data, guidelines for management of HCM in adults have been broadly adapted for use in pediatrics. The relevance of these recommendations to the pediatric HCM population remains uncertain but it is clear that there are situations in which considerations unique to the pediatric population need to be taken into consideration. This review describes the general approach to evaluation and treatment with specific discussion of those situations in which pediatric-specific considerations are important, including genetic evaluation, medical and surgical management of symptoms, and interventions intended to prevent sudden death.