Factors that precipitate heart failure among children with rheumatic heart disease

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.