Bacterial endocarditis: results of a survey in a children's hospital in France.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and analyse the risk factors for infective endocarditis.

DESIGN

Retrospective survey over a 12-year period.

SETTING

Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Nancy, France.

SUBJECTS: 43 children attending during 1970-1992 who were diagnosed with infective endocarditis in accordance with Von Reyn's classification.

RESULTS

45 episodes of infective endocarditis were recorded (2 children had 2 episodes). Congenital cardiac disease was the most frequent predisposing factor for infective endocarditis. The causes of bacteraemia found were frequently, but not exclusively, of dental origin (30.5%). Among the dental causes were: poor oral health, inappropriate treatments and lack of antibiotic prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS

Children diagnosed with a cardiac disorder should be examined by a dentist. Modern principles of antibiotic therapy and accepted dental procedures must be performed as soon as possible and parents informed of the current preventive recommendations.