Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease at the Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, University of North Sumatera/Dr. Pirngadi Hospital, Medan (1983-1985).

A retrospective study on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in children was conducted at the Department of Child Health, Dr. Pirngadi Hospital Medan, during 1983-1985. The patients consisted of 43 females and 30 males. Most of the patients were over 12 years of age. Of the 73 patients there were 60 patients (82.19%) accompanied by valvular disorders. The most frequent major criteria of Jones found in this study were carditis and polyarthritis. Thirty one patients (42.46%) had functional status (NYHA) of grade II-IV, and 43 patients (58.90%) had cardiomegaly. The major ECG findings were enlargement of the atria or ventricles and first degree AV block. Compliance was only achieved in 25 (34.24%) cases. Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease still remain a challenge for the medical professionals to cope with in the region.