13. OA_R.K. Shahi_2_3_14

Background: In developing countries like India, rheumatic fever (RF) is one of the important problems. RF can lead to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which can be easily prevented by proper care. The present study was done to evaluate risk factors, clinical profile and an Echocardiogram (ECHO) data of RF/RHD patients. Methods: Total 70 patients were studied for complete blood count, electrocardiography, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Creactive protein, echocardiography, throat culture and anti-streptolysin O (ASLO) titre. Results: Mean age of the study population was 10.96±2.39 years. Study of clinical features showed that valvular involvement was present in 50 (71.42%) patients, which was most common, followed by congestive cardiac failure (CCF) [25 (35.7%)]. Raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein was also recorded in the present study. Conclusion: The present study had identified different risk factors like valvular involvement, fever, sore throat infection and CCF as the component needed to be screened in patients with RF for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.