Changing spectrum of infective endocarditis in children. Analysis of 26 cases, 1970-1979

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Generation of Fluorescent Protein Fusions in Candida Species
09:27

Generation of Fluorescent Protein Fusions in Candida Species

Published on: March 4, 2017

B F Stanton, R S Baltimore, J D Clemens

    American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
    |August 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Infective endocarditis (IE) in children during the 1970s saw more postoperative cases, with streptococci as a common cause. IE linked to prosthetic material showed a good outcome with medical treatment alone.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Cardiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Medical History

    Background:

    • The 1970s saw advances in pediatric cardiac surgery and critical care.
    • Increased survival rates for children with complex heart conditions were noted.
    • The impact of these changes on pediatric infective endocarditis (IE) was unclear.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze trends and characteristics of pediatric infective endocarditis (IE) from 1970-1979.
    • To determine if changes in medical practices influenced pediatric IE.
    • To identify common pathogens and outcomes in pediatric IE cases.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective analysis of 26 pediatric IE cases at Yale University (1970-1979).
    • Review of patient data, including surgical history, catheterization, and causative agents.
    • Comparison with previous IE series to identify shifts in presentation and etiology.

    Main Results:

    • A higher proportion of IE cases occurred postoperatively compared to prior studies.
    • Streptococci were the predominant pathogens in postsurgical and catheterization-related IE, contrary to expectations.
    • Infective endocarditis associated with prosthetic material had a favorable prognosis, with medical therapy alone achieving cures in survivors.
    • IE in children with previously normal hearts was linked to indwelling central catheters.

    Conclusions:

    • Pediatric infective endocarditis (IE) patterns evolved in the 1970s, with an increase in postoperative cases.
    • The etiology of IE in specific pediatric populations shifted, highlighting the importance of considering streptococci.
    • Prosthetic material-associated IE demonstrated treatability with medical management, offering a positive outlook for affected children.

    More Related Videos

    A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts07:50

    A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts

    Published on: September 20, 2018

    Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis08:44

    Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

    Published on: September 7, 2022

    Related Concept Videos

    Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

    Endocarditis I: Introduction

    Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
    Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

    Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

    Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
    Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

    Endocarditis III: Medical Management

    Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
    Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

    Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

    Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
    Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

    Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

    Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
    Viral Meningitis01:18

    Viral Meningitis

    Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...