Open AccessAcute rheumatic fever in Jordanian children
Author(s) -
Imad Khriesat,
Abdul Hameed Najada,
F Al-Hakim,
A Abu-Haweleh
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/2003.9.5-6.981
Subject(s) - acute rheumatic fever , rheumatic fever , medicine , pediatrics , immunology
Rheumatic fever remains a significant health problem in Jordan. We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of 28 boys and 22 girls [mean age at presentation 10.5 +/- 2.6 years] with confirmed diagnosis based on modified Jones criteria at Queen Alia Heart Institute from February 1999 to February 2002. Arthritis was the commonest major manifestation [88%; 68% migratory], carditis was second commonest [48%; 8% silent carditis] and chorea was seen in 6%. None had subcutaneous nodules or erythema marginatum. The mitral valve was most commonly affected [80%] ; both mitral and aortic valves were affected in 25%. Pericarditis was seen in 12.5% and acute congestive heart failure in 4%. Practitioners should be aware of diverse clinical presentations and emphasize strict adherence to prophylaxis guidelines