Case Report

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a Risk in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa

Fatma Alzahraa Mostafa¹*, Hala Agha¹, Ghada Anwar¹ and Mohamed Rafie²

¹Department of Pediatric, Cairo University, Egypt

²Department of Pediatric, Alazhar University, Egypt

Submission: April 01, 2019; Published: April 24, 2019

*Corresponding author: Fatma Alzahraa Mostafa, Department of Pediatric, Pediatric hospital Cairo University, Egypt

How to cite this article:Fatma A M, Hala A, Ghada A, Mohamed Rafie. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a Risk in Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. J Cardiol & Cardiovasc Ther. 2019; 13(5): 555873. DOI: 10.19080/JOCCT.2019.13.555873

Introduction

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic conditions that result in easy blistering of the skin and mucous membranes [1,2]. Blisters occurs with minor trauma or friction and are painful [1]. Its severity can range from mild to lethal [1]. Those with mild cases may not develop symptoms until they start to crawl or walk. Complications may include esophageal narrowing, squamous cell skin cancer, and the need for amputations. There are previous reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and sudden death in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a debilitating blistering skin disorder. The pathogenesis of DCM in RDEB remains uncertain, although dietary deficiency of selenium and carnitine have been implicated [3,4].

Case Report

We report a 3y old male patient, His parents are consanguineous, He was diagnosed as junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa affecting both skin and mucous membranes with nail dystrophy and teeth affection, (Figure 1 & 2). He was admitted to hospital because of gradual onset and progressive onset dyspnia and fever. His condition started a week before. Pneumonia and congestive heart failure were diagnosed. Elevated CRP and leukocytosis, anemia (HB7gm% HCT 23%) are found, selenium level was 39.2 μg/l, Chest X-ray revealed pneumonia and cardiomegaly (Figure 3). Echocardiography was requested. Echocardiographic examination revealed markedly dilated and myopathic left ventricle with FS 24%, with severe mitral regurge. Troponin T level was not elevated so myocarditis is excluded, and dilated cardiomyopathy is the probable diagnosis. The patient received diuretics and captopril with adequate response within a week (Figure 4).

Discussion

Some cases of EB are known to be associated with extracutaneous anomalies including pyloric atresia, obstructive uropathy [5] muscular dystrophy [6], dilated cardiomyopathy [7,8], renal amyloidosis [8] or osteoporosis [9], making EB a multi-systemic disease. Efforts therefore should be made to investigate the patient (including postmortem) for any associated anomaly. History of polyhydramnios with feeding difficulties, abdominal distention, non-bilious vomiting and large distended stomach on plain abdominal radiograph can suggest pyloric atresia while respiratory distress with significant cardiomegaly on chest radiogram, electrocardiography and echocardiography in an older child with blistering skin may indicate EB with dilated cardiomyopathy. Clinicians should also have a high index of suspicion in cases where there are blistering of the skin especially in the pediatric age group. Cardiomyopathy was reported as early as within the first year of life. In patients having no other known risk factors for CHF or cardiomyopathy, [10].

Our patient 1st presentation was at 3y old and he has no other associated anomalies.

Our patient presented with anemia with HB level 7gm%, HCT 23%.

It is quite likely that chronic anaemia, a well-recognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, plays a clinically relevant role in the development of CHF and cardiomyopathy in severe generalized EB, particularly RDEB-HS. Consistent with that. Patients with RDEB-HS may suffer from severe multifactorial anemia, although lack of data on hemoglobin levels at the time of onset or diagnosis of cardiac findings prevents any quantitative comparison between those patients with and those without CHF or cardiomyopathy [11,12].

Conclusion

Dilated cardiomyopathy should be searched for in junctional EB.

References

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