Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40944525›Full record

ArticleJournal of paediatrics and child health2025

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease in Children Aged Less Than 5 Years in the Northern Territory Between 2010 and 2020.

Z Stephenson, B Jones, B Remenyi, Jessica de Dassel, S Dunn, J R Francis, J Yan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of paediatrics and child health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Z StephensonPaediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, Australia.ORCID 0009-0006-2047-9823
B JonesPaediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, Australia.
B RemenyiPaediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, Australia.
Jessica de DasselNorthern Territory Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program, Northern Territory Department of Health, Casuarina, Australia.
S DunnPaediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, Australia.
J R FrancisPaediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-9302-4543
J YanPaediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimAcute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are preventable diseases affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations globally, including Australian children. This study aims to describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of ARF and RHD in children aged less than 5 years, to improve recognition and management.

methodA retrospective audit was undertaken of children aged less than 5 years with ARF and RHD in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia between 2010 and 2020. Patients were identified from the NT RHD register. Descriptive data analyses were performed to summarise patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, disease severity, management, and outcomes.

resultsDuring the study period, 82 children (51% female) aged less than 5 years presented with definite, probable, or possible ARF (78/82), and/or RHD (20/82). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were disproportionately affected, with average annual incidences (2010-2020) of ARF and RHD of 127 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 99-155) and 33 (95% CI: 18-47) per 100,000 population, respectively. ARF recurrence was common (23%). At diagnosis, RHD was moderate to severe in 55% of cases, and 20% of children with RHD required one or more cardiac surgeries.

conclusionChildren aged less than 5 years living in remote NT are at risk of ARF and RHD. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are disproportionately affected. Presentations with sore joints, chorea, new cardiac murmurs or other symptoms suggestive of ARF should be fully investigated. Echocardiographic screening for RHD should be considered for children living in remote NT from the age of 3 years.

Indexed as

Rheumatic FeverRheumatic Heart DiseaseAcute DiseaseChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansIncidenceInfantMaleNorthern TerritoryRetrospective StudiesAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopleacute rheumatic feverpaediatricsrheumatic heart disease

Identifiers

PMID40944525
PMCPMC12689476

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