HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY ASSOCIATED WI TH METHYLPREDNISOLONE THERAPY FOR ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Background. - The cardiac side-effects of corticosteroid therapy are v ery uncommon. Case report. - A girl with ulcerative colitis developped at the age of 8 years an acute digestive episode despite prednisolone and total parenteral nutrition. Tile patient was then given intraveno us methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/d). Polypnea appeared 25 days later whi le blood pressure remained normal. Echocardiography revealed a cardiac hypertrophy associated with a systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Cardiac symptoms and echography findings returned to normal aft er reduction of corticosteroid therapy and its administration via tile oral route. Conclusion. - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been descri bed in preterms treated with dexamethasone for bronchopulmonary dyspla sia. It is exceptional in older children under corticosteroid therapy and its mechanism remains unknown.