Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Children Admitted with Pericardial Effusion in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Study

Objectives: Pericardial effusion is rare in children, and the diagnosis is often delayed due to varied presentation and lack of classical Beck's triad manifestation. Delayed initiation of management leads to high mortality (30%). This study aimed to identify the clinico-epidemiological profile of children with pericardial effusion and their outcome. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care center in northern India from January 2019-September 2021, and included children (1 month-18 years) with pericardial effusion. History, clinical presentation, examinations, radiological and laboratory investigations were analyzed. Results: Fifty-four children [median age 63 months (46.5, 132)] were included. Of these children, 78% had at least one feature of Beck's triad; muffling was predominant (42.6%). Overall, 35.2% had severe effusion. The incidence rates of tamponade (66.7%), muffling (68.4%), cardiomegaly (100%), and low voltage electrocardiography (100%) were higher in those with severe effusion compared to those without severe effusion (48.4%, 42.6%, 83.3%, 59.3% respectively). Overall, 44.4% of the children underwent pericardiocentesis, and 9.3% had pigtail catheterization. The children requiring pigtail catheter insertion underwent the procedure within 24 hours of admission. Pericardial effusion of tubercular etiology (19/54) mainly presented with breathlessness (84.2%), poor appetite (63.1%), and weight loss (42.9%), and the incidence rates of severe effusion and pericardiocentesis were 52.6% and 68.4%, respectively. Overall, the mean duration of pigtail catheter in situ was 11.4 days (+/- 6.05), +/- 6.05), including 8.66 days (+/- 3.77) +/- 3.77) in the non-tubercular group and 15.5 days (+/- 6.5) +/- 6.5) in the tubercular group (p = 0.33). Conclusions: Most of the children with pericardial effusion in this study had tubercular etiology, and most had a severe presentation and required pericardiocentesis. Early suspicion, even the presence of a single component of Beck's triad, may be helpful for prompt management.