Infective endocarditis: experience of a paediatric emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical features at presentation of children with infective endocarditis to a tertiary centre and review the role of the emergency department in these cases. The subsequent course and outcomes are briefly discussed.


METHODS
Retrospective audit of children with endocarditis presenting to a tertiary children's hospital over a 16-year period.


RESULTS
Twenty-three cases of infective endocarditis were identified. Initial presentation via the paediatric emergency department occurred in 78% of cases and was associated with the least delay to commencement of appropriate treatment. The average duration of illness at the time of presentation was 6 days. Prior medical care had been sought in 65% of the cases, with antibiotics prescribed for an alternate diagnosis in 73%. Children with and without cardiac anomalies were equally represented. Of the group with normal cardiac anatomy, 45% presented without a murmur. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent causative organism (43%) and accounted for 64% of cases in children with no pre-existing cardiac abnormalities. Permanent sequelae were more likely to occur with S. aureus. The overall mortality rate was 9%.


CONCLUSIONS
Infective endocarditis is a rare illness in children and represents a diagnostic challenge. The majority of cases will present via the paediatric emergency department with a non-specific febrile illness, having frequently commenced antibiotics for an alternate diagnosis. Specific expertise in paediatric emergency care can assist in early diagnosis and management. Morbidity remains significant, particularly in cases caused by S. aureus.
Lewena
Stuart
S
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. stuart.lewena@rch.org.au
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology