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Endocarditis prophylaxis in children with congenital heart disease. A parent's awareness

Abdullah S Al-Jarallah1, Amer A Lardhi, Amina A Hassan

  • 1Department of Pediatrics (39), King Khalid University Hospital, PO Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. jarallah@mailzone.com

Saudi Medical Journal
|February 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Parental knowledge of bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis (BEP) was limited, despite awareness of their child's heart condition. Enhanced education is crucial to prevent serious complications in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects numerous children globally.
  • Bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis (BEP) is essential for preventing severe complications in at-risk pediatric populations.
  • Parental understanding of BEP is critical for adherence to preventive measures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess parental knowledge regarding bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis (BEP) among children with cardiac conditions.
  • To identify gaps in parental understanding of endocarditis and preventive strategies.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 205 parents of pediatric cardiology patients in Saudi Arabia.
  • Standardized questionnaires assessed parental knowledge of cardiac disease, medications, and BEP.
  • Medical records were reviewed to verify patient data and determine BEP necessity per American Heart Association guidelines.

Main Results:

  • While 98% of parents knew their child's cardiac condition and 92% knew their medications, only 64% of parents with at-risk children were aware of endocarditis prevention measures.
  • Only 25% of parents could correctly define endocarditis.
  • Parental educational background varied, with 50% being high school graduates.

Conclusions:

  • Parental knowledge of bacterial endocarditis and prophylaxis is significantly limited.
  • There is a critical need for intensified patient education and public awareness programs.
  • Improved parental understanding of BEP is vital to reduce morbidity and mortality in pediatric CHD patients.
Abstract

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