ABSTRACT
The effects of heart failure on the infant and child must be considered within the context of the developmental changes of the heart and circulation. Many of the changes occur in the fetus and the newborn, but less dramatic changes occur throughout growth. The cellular and subcellular changes in the myocyte and its surrounding structures are discussed in the following chapter. This section will present information on the development of the heart as a functioning organ within the circulation, with reference to subcellular mechanisms
when they are important to an understanding of the developmental differences in function.
