Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in an Infant Due to Primary Carnitine Deficiency (PCD); A Rare Case
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is known to have ventricular dilatation and dysfunction in myocardium. Primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) is a not common but a reversible autosomal recessive phenomenon with supplementation of carnitine. Case presentation- 11-month male child was brought with complain of fever, cough, cold since 7 days and increased work of breathing for 15 days. 2 D echo was done suggestive of dilated cardiomyopathy. His initial investigations; chest Xray revealed significant cardiomegaly electrocardiography, (ECG) showed prolonged QT interval fraction. Patient was treated with syrup carnitine syrup empirically, as there is no way to determine a fatty acid oxidation profile. Repeated 2D echocardiogram (2 D ECHO) was suggestive of recovery. Conclusions: Carnitine deficiency could be the cause of cardiomyopathy and so treatment of carnitine supplementation can be considered empirically to avoid life-threatening complication related to cardiomyopathy.