Acute rheumatic fever during childhood in Saudi Arabia

During a 5-year period ending in December 1989, 73 episodes of acute rheumatic fever in 67 children aged 4-14 years were prospectively studied to ascertain the clinical profile of the disease in initial attacks and recurrences, and to compare the findings with those from other countries. Among 51 children with a first episode of acute rheumatic fever, 76% had arthritis and 43% had carditis. In 22 children with recurrences, arthritis was present in 45% and carditis in 91%. Carditis was more severe among the cases with recurrences. Mitral insufficiency was the most common valvular lesion, but no case of mitral stenosis was detected. Chorea, subcutaneous nodules, and Erythema marginatum were relatively rare. The demographic, clinical and laboratory findings of this study resemble those from Western countries, in contrast with data from tropical countries. Efforts aimed at prompt recognition and adequate treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis and maintenance of anti-streptococcal chemoprophylaxis would be rewarding in reducing the incidence of this disease and its sequelae.