The pattern of acute rheumatic fever in children: Experience at the children’s hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

ARF continues to occur in Saudi Arabia in the period (1994-2003), despite the progress made in the socio-economic development of the country, and this is often associated with severe cardiac involvement.

Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease among children presenting to two referral hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe

“…[26] In contrast, the frequency of elevated ESR (50.0%) was lower than 94% observed in Saudi Arabia. [28] One child in the present study was noted to have concurrent ARF and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, an unusual occurrence that is thought to be due to some GAS strains being both nephritogenic and rheumatogenic. [29] Among the children with ARF, mitral regurgitation was the predominant valve lesion on echocardiography.…”

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Hidden Complications and Management Plan

“…The structural similarity between many cardiac tissues and the streptococcal antigen M-Protein activates cytotoxic and humoral immune reaction that damages the heart tissue. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the cardiac manifestations of RF and is associated with inflammation of the valves, myocardium, and/or pericardium [17,18]. Around 3-5% of untreated streptococcal pharyngitis turns into rheumatic fever, most patients are kids 5-15 years old.…”

“…50% of them without previous history of RF [17]. Another study found that RF continue to occur in Saudi Arabia despite the progress made in the socioeconomic development of the country and this is often associated with severe cardiac involvement in 53% of cases [19].…”

“…While arthritis need 2-4 weeks to be seen, carditis needs 4-8 weeks, and chorea might be seen after 1-6 months from the onset of the primary GAS pharyngitis [17,18]. It seems logic to remember that there is no cure for RF and no cure for rheumatic heart disease.…”

“…Duration of treatment of the acute phase can be monitored by the level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C reactive protein (CRP). ASO is not useful at all for this purpose [17,18].…”