Malnutrition-related cardiomyopathy in a pediatric patient with autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract

We present a case of a 5-year-old male patient with history of autism spectrum disorder and chronic malnutrition secondary to an extremely restrictive diet who presented with life-threatening anemia and heart failure secondary to malnutrition-related cardiomyopathy. This case highlights the importance of recognizing nutritional deficiencies in high-risk individuals and screening for nutritional deficiencies in at-risk children. Furthermore, it underscores the need for early recognition and intervention as malnutrition-related cardiomyopathy can have significant morbidity.