All issues > Volume 1(3); 1958

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1958;1(3):25-34. Published online March 31, 1958.

韓國兒童의 류마치스熱에 對하여

Chong M Park¹, Kun W Chang¹, Chang W Song¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Presbyterian Hospital Taegu, Korea

Abstract

Two hundred and fifteen Rheumatic Fever cases in the Children’s Hospital and Presbyterian Hosptal in Taegu, Korea, during the past three years and four months period (Jan. 1955-April 1958) have been reviewed. The incidence, per annum, during the past two years period(1955一1957) ranged, from about 2.3 to 2.7 per 1,000 children in our hospital. From a school survey(three kindergartens and three elementary schools) we found that rheumatic heart disease has detected among school children at a rate of from 0.35 to 1.5 per cent. The following features are discussed:definition, epidemiology, (incidence, seasonal incidence, age distribution, sex incidence, heredity, economic social factor, relationship between rheumatic fever and other streptococcal infections) clinical syndrome, diagnosis and treatment. 1.The average incidence, per annum, was 1.5% in the hospital and 79% of rheumatic fever cases had organic rheumatic heart disease. 2.The highest seasonal incidence was in the Springfpeak in April). The winter-season was next. 3.The highest age incidence in children occured between the ages of 5 to 8(peak in July), which accounted for about 47% of total rheumatic fever patients. 4.Male children were predominant in sex incidence at the rate of 5:3. This is probably to some extent due to the oriental custum of putting importance on. male, rather than female children. 5. Major clinical manifestations were as follows a.Carditis79% (of cases) b. Migratory polyarthritis35% c.Chorea 3% d.Erythema marginatum & annulare 13% e. Subcutaneous nodule 1% f. History of reccurent attaks 37% 6. The incidence of rheumatic fever was closely related to the other streptococcal infections such as acute tonsillitis, scarlet fever and erysipelas. 7. Continuous administration of oral penicillin (250,000 U. /d) or sulfadiazine (0.25—0.5 gm/d) for prophylactic use against reccureat attacks was found quite satisfactory (94%).

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