Abstract:
Objective: To identify factors that precipitates heart failure in children with rheumatic
heart disease.
Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting: Paediatric wards at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Subjects: Children with Rheumatic heart disease admitted for in-patient care due to
decompensated heart failure.
Results: A total of 33 patients were studied, thirty two of whom were in the New
York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV and one in class III. Non-compliance to anti-
failure therapy was the most common precipitating factor occurring in 87.9% cases.
Arrhythmia, recurrent rheumatic fever, pneumonia, infective endocarditis, anaemia
and overexertion were identified as other precipitating factors. Seventy percent of the
patients did not adhere to secondary prophylaxis against rheumatic fever.
Conclusion: Non compliance to anti-failure therapy was the most common precipitating
factor.
