Not seen in children ?
**Core Concept**
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, which can lead to reduced cardiac output and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. It is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not typically seen in children, as it usually presents in young adulthood. However, in some cases, it can be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, leading to early onset in children. The thickening of the heart muscle is caused by an abnormality in the cardiac sarcomere, which is the functional unit of the heart muscle. This abnormality can lead to an increase in the contractile force of the heart muscle, resulting in thickening of the heart walls.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because while HCM can be seen in children, it is not commonly diagnosed in this age group.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because while HCM can be inherited, it is not typically seen in children.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because while HCM can be caused by various genetic mutations, it is not typically seen in children.
* **Option D:** This option is incorrect because while HCM can be caused by various factors, it is not typically seen in children.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, and it is often inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
**Correct Answer:** A. This option is correct because while HCM can be seen in children, it is not commonly diagnosed in this age group.