Bacterial endocarditis: results of a survey in a children's hospital in France.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and analyse the risk factors for infective endocarditis.


METHODS
Retrospective survey over a 12-year period.


METHODS
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Nancy, France.


METHODS
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.
Droz
D
D
Oral Pediatric Department, Faculty of Dental Surgery, Nancy, France.
Koch
L
L
Lenain
A
A
Michalski
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003729:Dental Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology