[Myocarditis in children--a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge].

Viral infections are the most common causes of myocarditis in children. Chronic myocardial injury may develop following an immune or autoimmune reaction triggered or maintained by an infection, or can be part of a systemic autoimmune disease. Although many of the children having developed myocarditis are symptomless, initial symptoms may include cardiac insufficiency, arrhythmias and sudden death. The diagnosis requires a clinical suspicion as well as laboratory and imaging studies. Recovery from myocarditises often takes place spontaneously, but some result in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).