All issues > Volume 29(6); 1986

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1986;29(6):596-603. Published online June 30, 1986.

Clinical Observation of Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Children.

Soon Don Hong¹, Sung Ho Cha¹, Chang Il Ahn¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine，Kyung Hee University

Abstract

Acute rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease of the heart, joint, central nervous system, and subcutaneous tissues which developes after a nasopharyngeal infection by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococci. Rheumatic fever is especially important to pediatrician because of the most acquired heart disease which usually ensues. To analyze the 101 cases of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in pediatric department of Kyung Hee University Hospital from January, 1973 to June, 1985, the epidemiology and clinical findings were examined retrospectively. The annual incidence of rheumatic fever increased ‘ after than 1981. The seasonal peak incidence was observed from December to March. The group of peak age incidence was 6〜15 yrs. 62 patients had history of preceding infection(61.4%). The major manifestations were polyarthritis(52.5%), carditis(51.5%), erythema marginatum(11.9%), chorea(7.9%), and subcutaneous nodule(4.0%). The EKG findings were P-R interval prolongation(44.2%), LAE(40.4%), and LVE(21.2%). The laboratory findings of rheumatic fever were raised ASO titer(85.2%) and positive CRP(83.2%). The recurrence rate of rheumatic fever was 5.9% and almost were initial attack.

Keywords :Rheumatic fever; Rheumatic heart disease.