A Case of Concurrent Acute Viral Myocarditis and Intussusceptions in a 3-Year-Old Child. |
Young In Maeng, Yu Hoon Kim, Han Young Lee, Jun Mo Kim |
1Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. 2Medical Examiner's Office, National Forensic Service, Wonju, Korea. 3Department of Forensic Investigation, Seoul Institute, National Forensic Service, Seoul, Korea. 4Division of Forensic Medicine, Daegu Institute, National Forensic Service, Daegu, Korea. brainy21@naver.com |
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Abstract |
Chickenpox is an acute disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a herpesvirus that causes human infection worldwide. Primary VZV infection routinely occurs during childhood and is usually a self-limiting illness in immunocompetent children. However, chickenpox can be a severe disease in adolescents, adults, and immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients. Although vaccination substantially attenuates disease manifestations, significant complications such as secondary soft tissue infection, encephalitis, and pneumonia can occur. We present a rare autopsy case of concurrent acute myocarditis and intussusceptions in a 3-year-old female child who presented with chickenpox followed by abdominal pain and sudden death. The present case emphasizes the potential for fatal complications of viral infections, which should be considered in cases of sudden unexpected infectious death in children. |
Key Words:
Chickenpox, Intussusception, Myocarditis, Sudden death, Viral disease |
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