Baby with DCM

[andjeo]

can baby recover from DCM? What prognosis are? cause is viral infection.

[ed34]

You're welcome and I'm shocked to see you make your own baby food, what a good Mother you are.

[andjeo]

I was breastfed until she was 5 months, then I lost my milk. Now drink formula milk and baby food straight from fresh fruits and vegetables as well as meat. I look to the healthier foods and avoid to buy ready-made baby food, all i made at home myself. thank you very much for your advice, your help is appreciated
all the best, greetings ...

[ed34]

Yes it is scary how quickly sickness can take over a body, and we live in fear because recovery takes much longer. You have nothing but good signs, especially the weight gain. I think you should be a very proud Mother, you are doing a wonderful job. I can see the Doctors are good, they have her on some very good medications. Children do seem very weak at times, but in reality they are far stronger than adults at repairing problems. The cells are young and very active and her body is obviously still developing. Personally I think this will seem like a bad dream in a few years to come. I know this may seem an odd question, but do you breast feed her? It is known that babies build up far more resistance to infections when breast fed.

[andjeo]

Therapy is Lasix, Spirinolactone, Carvedilol, Dilacor, Zorkaptil and aspirin. drink more and Coenzyme Q. Regularly go to the controls of the last time we were at the beginning of August, and the doctor is pleased with the progress, and weight gains, the following control is scheduled for 18 October. When we were released from the hospital in June, FS was 14% and 20% in August. heart rhythm was good, no built in pacemaker, heart remained dilated al mild form. genetic control were all negative, positive on some viruses. otherwise she was born as a normal baby and got high marks at birth, within the first month received more than a kilo of weight, it's good to breathe and was very happy and calm baby. at the end of the second month, was admitted to the hospital, where the diagnosis was viral pneumonia. I have a another small child at home at the time was a cold, so it is possible that she carried viruses. otherwise we live in Serbia, we have good doctors, but are no technical possibilities, so that even their ultrasounds are not 100% accurate. We are looking for more opinions by different doctors and they all said they were pleased with the progress, time is the only ally. to wait .... Now breathe nice, nice to eat and sleep. I am aware of the seriousness of her condition, but I simply can not believe that in a short time so terribly sick child. We are positive and we think the best thing we can, we try to live a normal life.

[ed34]

Heart failure is something which has been avoided I believe. There are distinct signs with most babies if they have heart failure. Things like, loss of appetite, weight loss, pale in colour, fast breathing and wheezing, lots of sweating. They are not particularly happy babies either, they are very irritable. I assume your daughter is starting to put on weight now?
My advice would be not to look at percentages for survival, every patient is different and nobody knows which percentage you are in. I assume your daughter does not have a pacemaker or ICD unit installed? great if not. Those are put in if the damage has given high risk of rhythm problems with the heart or cardiac arrest. If the Doctors have sent her home with neither device, then they are satisfied with her heart having a good rhythm.
Your daughter has crossed many bridges so far and doing very well. Look on the bright side. Her immune system will have made antibodies to fight the infection, and in some cases the antibodies confuse heart muscle for the actual virus, and attack it, killing it. This HUGE barrier has gone.
There is a very rare chance that she could get an infection in the future, and the problem could restart. BUT it is RARE. If you see any changes in your daughter, get her to the hospital for a checkup. Doctors are always there to help babies. What medication do you have to give your daughter? Your english is perfect. One last question, how soon do the Doctors want to see your Daughter again?

[andjeo]

Thank you very much for your response! My daughter got sick at the age of 4 months, before that she was in hospital due to viral pneumonia, which is caused most likely a problem with the heart. Now she is 7 months and specific therapy improved her condition and the percentage of muscle contractility. Doctors say that time will tell the true state, that it takes about a year from diagnosis to prognosis her future life. Otherwise, she is a lively and beautiful baby, is progressing, eat good, like before she got sick. Do you have experience with this problem? Do you know how long is the life of children suffering from heart failure and whether to restore normal heart function can lead a long and normal life? Understand, I'm just a scared mother, so ask lots of questions :) thanks again ...
p.s. My English isn't very god, sorry, hope you understan me

[ed34]

Hi
    The future is much brighter for children with DCM caused by a virus, compared to it being genetic. They are more likely to recover than children with other causes. The current full recovery figure is at around 35-40%. Around 35% stabilise and don't get much improvement, but don't get any worse. The remainder progressively get worse. There is a good chance your babies heart will recover. However, this is assuming the condition hasn't progressed as far as heart failure, where the heart can't pump sufficient blood around the body.