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[Evolution of rheumatism in children during the past 30 years]
Insights
Pediatric rheumatic fever cases show increased classical presentations but fewer relapses and heart issues. However, underdiagnosis by pediatricians is a growing concern.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Cardiovascular Health in Children
Background:
- Rheumatic fever (RF) remains a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the evolving trends of RF is crucial for effective management and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the evolution of rheumatic fever in children over the past 30 years.
- To analyze changes in disease activity, relapse rates, and cardiac involvement.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical, laboratory, and instrumental studies.
- Data collected from the Cardiorheumatologic Department of K.A. Rauchfuss City Child's Hospital in Leningrad.
Main Results:
- Increased frequency of classical rheumatic fever with moderate to maximal inflammatory activity observed.
- Despite this, a decrease in relapse rates and reduced incidence of heart disease in pediatric RF patients noted.
- A trend towards underdiagnosis of rheumatic fever by pediatricians in recent years highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric rheumatic fever is presenting with more severe classical forms.
- Improved outcomes regarding relapses and cardiac sequelae are evident.
- Increased underdiagnosis poses a challenge to timely intervention and management.
Abstract:
Based on the clinical, laboratory and instrumental studies made at the Cardiorheumatologic Department of the K.A. Rauchfuss City Child's Hospital in Leningrad the authors describe evolution shown by rheumatic fever in children over the recent 30 years. In their opinion, the cases of so-called classical rheumatic fever with moderate and maximal activity of the inflammatory process occurred more frequently over the recent years. In spite of this fact rheumatic fever in children is characterized today by the decreased number of relapses and by the reduced incidence of heart disease. Attention is drawn to the circumstance that over the recent years the pediatricians tend towards the underdiagnosis of rheumatic fever.