Congestive heart failure in infants and children.

Congestive failure in infants and children is not uncommon and may be present in a varying number of conditions, particularly in certain types of congenital heart disease. Its recognition and proper treatment are usually followed by improvement, except in those instances where the failure is associated with a lesion incompatible with life. The essentials of treatment are: Treatment of the underlying cause, administration of a digitalis preparation, low salt diet, diuretics, rest and sedation, oxygen, adequate diet and, in rare instances, the use of steroids.