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Serum magnesium levels and the risk of acute viral cardiomyopathy in children: A case-control study.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Acute viral cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of heart failure in children. Although magnesium is essential for myocardial electrophysiology, its potential association with pediatric viral cardiomyopathy remains poorly characterized. METHODS: This hospital-based frequency-matched case-control study (1:1 ratio, balanced for age) included 73 children with confirmed acute viral cardiomyopathy and 73 non-cardiac hospitalized controls at Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran (2023-2024). Serum total magnesium was measured on admission (reference 1.7-2.3 mg/dL); hypomagnesemia was defined as <1.7 mg/dL. Groups were compared using an independent-samples t-test and a χ² test. Multivariable logistic regression has been used to assess associated factors for acute viral cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: Mean serum magnesium level was significantly lower in the cardiomyopathy group than the control group (1.80 ± 0.31 vs. 1.98 ± 0.31 mg/dL; P = 0.003). Hypomagnesemia prevalence was significantly higher in the cardiomyopathy group (39.7% vs. 9.6%; unadjusted OR (95% CI): 5.80 (2.28-14.75); P < 0.001). After adjustment for sex, BMI, fever, and underlying chronic disease, each 0.1 mg/dL decrease in serum magnesium was associated with 1.38-fold higher odds of cardiomyopathy (adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.38 (1.11-1.72); P = 0.004). Hospital stay was longer in cases (7.77 ± 2.42 vs. 5.39 ± 2.20 days; P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher among the cardiomyopathy group (6.8% vs. 1.4%), though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.209). CONCLUSION: Children with acute viral cardiomyopathy seem to have significantly lower serum magnesium compared with matched controls. Routine admission magnesium screening could be considered in management protocols.

Source: PubMed Central

DOI: 10.48305/arya.2026.45968.3131

Authors: Fatemeh Doost-Mohammadi, Fateme Anjomshoaa, Reza Derakhshan

Institution: Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Viral Infections and Immunology Research

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Kerman University of Medical Sciences