Etiological determinants of pericardiocentesis in children

Objective: To look at etiology of pericardial effusion and association between etiology and need for pericardiocentesis. Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from January 2002-December 2010. It included children (age < 15 years) who were admitted with diagnosis of pericardial effusion. Relevant information regarding history, clinical examination, investigations and treatment were noted on a performa. Data was analyzed by using SPSS (statistical package for social science for window version 16.0). Results: Thirty six 36 patients admitted with moderate to large pericardial effusion were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 79±10 months with male: female ratio of 3:1. Infections, postpericardiotomy syndrome, malignancy and connective tissue disorders were the most common causes of pericardial effusion. Seventy five percent (75%) patients required pericardial effusion drainage. Pericardial effusions secondary to infections and postpericardiotomy syndrome are more likely to require pericardiocentesis (p value 0.04). There were two deaths in the study group which were unrelated to pericardial effusion. Conclusion: Infections and postpericardiotomy syndrome are the most common etiologies of pericardial effusion in our study group. Pericardial effusion secondary to infection and postpericardiotomy syndrome are more likely to require pericardiocentesis.