Cardiogenic shock in pediatric patients is most often due to pump failure and may be seen in children with which condition?

• A. Sepsis
• B. Underlying congenital heart disease
• C. Asthma
• D. Acute dehydration

Answer: (B)

Cardiogenic shock in kids stems from the heart’s inability to pump effectively, leading to reduced cardiac output and poor organ perfusion. This pump failure is most often linked to underlying congenital heart disease, which can impair ventricular function or alter hemodynamics enough to cause decompensation. The other options cause shock through different mechanisms—sepsis and dehydration lead to hypovolemic or distributive shock from fluid loss or vasodilation, and asthma is a respiratory issue with no primary pumping problem. So, congenital heart disease is the situation most associated with pump failure and cardiogenic shock in pediatric patients.