ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In developed countries, acute rheumatic fever appears to be a vanishing disease. In Korea, the incidence and severity of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) has significantly decreased in recent 30 years. According to this report, Korea sustained low incidence of ARF. METHODS: The medical records of 5 children diagnosed as ARF from January 2000 to September 2006 were reviewed retrospectively about clinical manifestations and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The average incidence of rheumatic fever was 0.17 per annual pediatric in-ward 1,000 patients. During study period, only 1 case had a definite history of preceding infection. Among 5 patients, the incidence of major manifestations were as follows:carditis 5 cases, chorea 1 case, arthritis 1 case and erythema marginatum 2 cases. Clinical findings of carditis were cardiac murmur, cardiomegly, congestive heart failure and pericardial effusion. Significant valvular lesions were mitral and aortic insufficiency. Minor manifestations and other clinical manifestations were fever, arthralgia, dyspnea, coughing, palpitation, weakness and chest pain. Laboratory findings were increased antistreptolysin O titer, positive C reactive protein (CRP) and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). CONCLUSION: The incidence of ARF has reduced but rheumatic carditis varies in severity from moderate to severe cardiac involvement. For many reasons ARF is being diagnosed inappropriately resulting from lack of awareness about the disease due to rarity and secondary prophylaxis. We should be aware of acute rheumatic fever and should pay attention to the treatment of the patients with streptococcal pharyngitis.