ABSTRACT
The prevalence of rheumatic heart diseases [RHD] in school students in Sharkia Gorernorate [about 500.000 students] was studied in contribution with the current screening program of school Health Insurance System in Sharkia Governorate. Target population [6- I 5 years, old] was followed during the period from January 1994 to November 1996. Students were medically examined in collaboration with school physicians, positive screened cases were further submitted to investigations by serial echocardiography and Doppler ultrasongoraphy and other diagnostic tools at Health Insurance Hospital at Zagazig City. The prevalence of RHD among school student was 5.2%. The highest prevalence rate of RHD was observed among females aged 15 years or more. Double mitral valve disease was the commonest lesion while combined mitral and tricuspid valve diseases were the least one. The use of echocardiography during this work removed any bias and attached more accuracy to our data. Authors recommended comprehensive field studies for early detection of cases, also more efforts must be paid for the prevention and control of rheumatic fever and RHD especially among adolescent females