A one-year-old British baby is fighting for her life after suffering a life-threatening cardiac arrest. According to doctors, Beatrix Willis was diagnosed with an inflammatory heart condition – known as myocarditis, which occurs when your heart muscle inflames due to low immunity. Experts say myocarditis can be caused by viral infections or more systemic inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune disorders.

Beatrix’s mother Keira said she along with four other siblings caught a stomach bug in June, and while all others got better, Beatrix’s symptoms of vomiting, high fever, and lack of appetite only worsened. Over time, she completely stopped eating, continued to cry at all times, and tugged at her ears repeatedly.

With no improvement in her condition, Keira took Beatrix to the hospital after she developed swelling in her hands and face, along with reduced urination. “I just had a feeling something was seriously wrong, and it was just terrifying seeing her like that,” she told The Sun.

This time Beatrix was examined straight away. After a detailed investigation, it was revealed that the baby was suffering from myocarditis – a condition which reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood. “It was absolutely terrifying and there were a lot of tears, a lot of emotions because you’ve gone from having your baby with you 24/7 to hearing that. I just felt so lost,” she said.

According to Keira, after her diagnosis, the doctors shifted Beatrix to the hospital, and on the same day, she suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated for six minutes until she came around. “They managed to stabilize her after three hours and we went to see her – it was so scary, I’m so glad my husband and I had each other to fall back on,” said Keira.

The child is currently undergoing genetic testing to see if she has an underlying issue. She has also been put on several medications - including a sedative.

Doctors say those suffering from myocarditis often feel fatigued, short of breath, chest pain or the sensation of their heart racing, lightheadedness, pain in the abdomen, abnormal heart rhythm, fainting, feeling weak all the time - and all of these symptoms develop gradually over time. People with myocarditis in more advanced stages may show symptoms of heart failure.

There are an estimated 1.5 million cases of myocarditis in the world each year. This works out to 10 to 20 people affected out of every 100,000 people.

Many times, the cause of myocarditis is unknown. However, experts say mostly, the cause is mostly a viral infection, a few of which include:

• Flu
• Herpes virus six
• Adenovirus
• Coxsackie virus
• Parvovirus B19
• COVID-19

Doctors say many people live for years without problems after myocarditis treatment, however, they need to regularly take medication, as there is a risk of myocarditis happening again. For some people, myocarditis leads to dilated cardiomyopathy, and they may need a heart transplant. Almost 20 per cent of sudden deaths in young people have a connection to myocarditis.

The survival rate for myocarditis is 80 per cent, a year after having it and 50 per cent five years later.