Serum magnesium levels and the risk of acute viral cardiomyopathy in children: A case-control study
- 1Clinical Research Development Unit, Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- 2Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- 3Associate Professor of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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.
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BibTeX
@article{doostmohammadi2026serum,
title = {{Serum magnesium levels and the risk of acute viral cardiomyopathy in children: A case-control study}},
author = {Fatemeh Doost-Mohammadi and Fateme Anjomshoaa and Reza Derakhshan},
journal = {ARYA Atherosclerosis},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48305/arya.2026.45968.3131},
url = {https://doi.org/10.48305/arya.2026.45968.3131},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Serum magnesium levels and the risk of acute viral cardiomyopathy in children: A case-control study
AU - Fatemeh Doost-Mohammadi
AU - Fateme Anjomshoaa
AU - Reza Derakhshan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - ARYA Atherosclerosis
DO - 10.48305/arya.2026.45968.3131
UR - https://doi.org/10.48305/arya.2026.45968.3131
AB - 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.
SN - 1735-3955
SN - 2251-6638
ER -