Key result
Rheumatic fever onset before age five is linked to ~0% recurrence versus older children.
Why the study?
Acute rheumatic fever is common between 5-15 years but uncommon with different presentation in children younger than 5 years, requiring characterization of its pattern in this age group.
What is the frequency and clinical presentation of rheumatic fever in Egyptian children younger than 5 years compared to older children?
Population
667 Egyptian children with rheumatic fever including 17 younger than 5 years
Comparison
Children younger than 5 years vs children 5 years or older with rheumatic fever
Design
Retrospective study at a single pediatric cardiology center
Follow-up
5 years
Authors
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May guide earlier ARF recognition in Egyptian toddlers; extends sparse data on young children but leaves open need for prospective validation.
Observational (n=667)
No
What is the frequency and clinical presentation of rheumatic fever in Egyptian children younger than 5 years compared to older children?
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 2.5%
Acute rheumatic fever can occur in children under 5 years of age, frequently presenting with arthritis and subclinical carditis, underscoring the importance of echocardiographic evaluation in endemic regions.
Lamiaa Maghawry Ibrahim (2013) conducted an observational in Rheumatic fever (n=667). Age younger than 5 years vs. Age 5 years or older was evaluated on Recurrence of rheumatic fever. Among 667 Egyptian children with rheumatic fever, those younger than 5 years had no recurrences over 5 years, compared to a 2.5% recurrence rate in older children.
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