Endocarditis in the Pediatric Population.

Endocarditis is a rare, but potentially fatal process in children. Patients with congenital heart disease compose the majority of patients with endocarditis. Neonates and children with central venous catheters are an increasingly frequent group of patients diagnose with this disease. Rheumatic fever predisposing to endocarditis is unusual. Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus aureus are the most pervasive organisms associated with endocarditis, though others are becoming more frequent. Blood cultures should be obtained in febrile children with congenital heart disease before the administration of antibiotics. Echocardiography is useful in children with known endocarditis, and in children in whom there is a high level of clinical suspicion for endocarditis. Echocardiography is a poor screening tool for patients without clinical or bacteriologic evidence for endocarditis. Endocarditis prophylaxis for children with congenital heart disease (excluding a secundum atrial septal defect) before appropriate procedures is recommended.