Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains an enigmatic myocardial disorder characterized either by enlargement of either the left or right ventricle or both and reduced contractility, posing a significant burden on pediatric populations as a leading cause of cardiac-related mortality and morbidity. This paper presents a compelling case of DCM in a Han Chinese child whose genomic analysis unveiled a novel LMNA-C.185G>C (p.Arg62Pro) variant. Over a meticulous 3-year clinical follow-up, spanning ten outpatient consultations and hospital admissions since the initial diagnosis, the patient exhibited a progressive emergence of various cardiac conduction anomalies closely mirroring LMNA-associated phenotypes. Delving into a comprehensive review of the patient's 14-year medical journey and familial history, antecedent signs of muscular dystrophy (MD) predated DCM onset. Familial scrutiny revealed a lineage marred by muscular atrophy, with the patient's maternal grandmother having a history of muscular dystrophy and an episode of DCM, necessitating cardiac transplantation in the patient's uncle at age 37. This scenario illuminates the intricate interplay between LMNA-associated diseases and genetic predisposition. Timely identification of etiological triggers stands paramount in DCM management. Beyond conventional genetic scrutiny, leveraging novel serum biomarkers such as anti-heart muscle antibodies (AHA) remarkably enhanced diagnostic precision. Notably, personalized therapeutic interventions comprising prednisolone regimens and intravenous immunoglobulin infusions precipitated marked amelioration in heart failure symptoms and serum biomarker profiles. It is noteworthy to identify this novel genetic locus within the Han Chinese populace, underscoring the imperative of expanding the LMNA mutation repository within this demographic cohort. Early recognition of clinical manifestations and etiological cues in pediatric DCM heralds a paradigm shift in risk prognostication and individualized therapeutic interventions, underscoring the profound significance of precision medicine in combating rare familial cardiomyopathies.