Myocarditis in COVID-19: a focus on the pediatric population.

Abstract

The emergence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus in late 2019 introduced new, unpreceded global challenges. Complications arising from COVID-19 widely range from mild to severe and, in some cases, lead to death. The myocardium has proven to be a potential target site for this virus, and has been affected at various levels, resulting in numerous complications, including myocarditis. This article represents a thorough and updated literature review on the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 that pertain to myocarditis, its molecular basis, diagnostic modalities, and treatment approaches, with a special focus on the pediatric population. There definitely is a link between COVID-19 and myocarditis, but the manifestations of this relationship vary from one case to another. At the molecular level, various viral and immunologic factors contribute to the development of myocarditis. Diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes vary as well, but some common trends can be noted. Proper and prompt diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2-induced myocarditis are crucial. Unfortunately, data in the literature suffers from conspicuous scarcity, especially for the pediatric population; thus, further large-scale clinical studies are required to attain clear and effective guidelines.