Les complications cardiaques du rhumatisme articulaire aigu et ses facteurs de risque : étude de 50 observations

Abstract

Introduction

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a multi-systemic disease, in which cardiac involvement is the most serious major manifestation of disease. The aim of this study was to analyse cardiac involvement in children with ARF and his risk factors.

Materials and methods

It were a retrospective study including all children under the age of 14 years who were hospitalized for ARF in the pediatric department of the CHU Hédi Chaker of Sfax, during a period of twelve years (2010–2022).

Results

We collected 50 cases (31 boys and 19 girls). Twenty-two patients (44%) developed cardiac lesions. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.6 years [5–14 years]. A pathological heart murmur was detected in 14 cases (n = 14/22) was classified as mild carditis in 15 cases, moderate carditis in 5 cases and severe in 2 cases.

The median follow-up time was 3,3 years. Nineteen patients developed valvular sequelae Risk factors of cardiac lesions was: age more than 8 years, heart murmur, allonged PR, CRP > 100 mg/l and VS > 100 mm.

Conclusion

CR is still a public health problem in Tunisia. It is a serious pathology that can cause serious increases in morbidity rates. Thus, we must strengthen preventive strategies.