pediatric housecalls Robert R. Jarrett M.D. M.B.A. FAAP

Child Cardiac Arrest: Intro/Index

This was a fun series of articles to write, but about an almost terrible experience on a 17-year-old boy athlete. It made the papers when he ostensibly had a “heart attack” on the baseball field.

The reader gets to “see the patient” and make a diagnosis (and see my humorous side) while learning about the four causes of sudden cardiac arrest in a child.

In follow-up we see some of the emotional side-effects of the near-death experience, exacerbated by viewing social media; and learn methods of problem-solving the correct way.

5 Posts in "Child Cardiac Arrest" Series

  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest in a Child: Intro/Index – 25 Jul 2016
    A heart attack or death of a child is always a major and emotional event; but, when it occurs in an otherwise healthy child participating in a sport even it often makes the news. These posts explain most of the why, who and how's of these dramatic occurrences.

  • Sudden cardiac death – 26 Jul 2016
    Sudden cardiac death in children is an "eye-opener" and shouldn't happen, especially to a healthy athletic one… right. But it does happen, all too often; and when it does it often make the newspaper. This article lets you be involved with a 17-year-old athlete who does just that— good luck!

  • Sudden cardiac arrest - case – 7 Aug 2016
    A somewhat interactive educational article about the four most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest and collapse in a child: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Myocardial infarction, Long-QT syndrome and Commotio cordis.

  • Commotio Cordis: Treatment and Prevention – 26 Aug 2016
    You made such an impression on that 17-year-old boy who nearly died on the baseball field last week that he's now back for his followup with the question: “When can I go back to playing baseball?” Well, how about it?

  • Commotio Cordis: Prevention and Return to Play – 9 Sep 2016
    HEEES BAAAAACK! The 17-year-old who you've (well I've) been treating for his heart problem: Commotio Cordis. He's several weeks now from his near-death experience and is back for his second follow-up and a discussion about: Survivability, Prevention and Return to Play.


If you’ve enjoyed this little romp through children’s sports issues you might like to read about children’s fitness.