Managing children with an inherited cardiovascular condition in school

Abstract

Inherited cardiovascular conditions (ICC) predisposing to lethal arrhythmias are increasingly diagnosed in childhood. Management strategies aim to reduce symptoms and prevent sudden death, and include daily medications and lifestyle modification. Children spend a large proportion of their time at school. The responsibility for monitoring and responding to symptoms, ensuring medication regimes are adhered to, and providing life-saving treatment in the event of collapse is assumed by non-medical professionals. Strategies to support non-medical professionals within schools, plus health-care professionals, such as school nurses who may have little experience caring for affected children, should be employed to ensure they are well informed about the condition and its management. Affected children should be supported to achieve their full academic ability and should not be limited unnecessarily or disadvantaged as a result.