[Clinical characteristics and care of the rheumatic child in Cuba]

The incidence, prevalence, evolution, prognosis and prophylaxis of rheumatic fever in Cuba are explained. Some results relative to prophylaxis and relapses in two different periods are compared. In both periods, carditis became evident in almost one half of the patients, although its severeness has decreaed in recent years due to the lesser number of cases with congestive heart insufficiency at the initial break. In the last part of the paper, a report is made of the organization established for the management and control of rheumatic patients, according to the new model for medical care in the polyclinics of the community.