Reversible cardiomyopathy subsequent to perinatal infection with the human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

We describe a patient with advanced perinatal acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who had early clinical manifestation of severe dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure. The picture was completely reversed after six years treatment and follow-up, and the child is now doing well at the age of seven, with normal left ventricular dimension and contractility as shown by echodopplercardiography. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of full recovery from cardiomyopathy in children with perinatally acquired infection by the human immunodeficiency virus.