Original article. Childhood infective endocarditis in Khon Kaen University Hospital from 1992 to 2011

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an important cause of child morbidity and mortality, but the current burden of the disease in Thai children is unknown.

Objectives: To determine the current burden of IE in Thai children.

Patients and Methods: The records of all children aged <15 years admitted to Khon Kaen University Hospital from 1992 to 2011 were reviewed.

Results: Of 69,822 admissions, 56 patients fulfilled the modified Duke criteria for definite IE giving a rate of 0.8 cases per 1,000 admissions. Age at diagnosis was 7.9 ± 3.8 years (range, 8 days to 14.8 years). There was congenital heart disease in 38 (68%) patients, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in 10 (18%), and no previous heart disease in 8 (14%). RHD was a less frequent underlying disease during the latter half (2002-2011) of the period studied (1/34 vs. 9/22, P < 0.001). Blood cultures were positive for pathogens in 34 (61%) patients with 11 cases of Streptococcus viridians and 8 cases of Staphylococcus aureus infections. Vegetations on echocardiography were present in 46 (82%) patients. For 8 embolic events, patients with large vegetations had a higher rate (4/6) than patients with small and no vegetations (4/50) (P < 0.003). In-hospital mortality was 11%. Eight patients with S. aureus infection had a higher mortality (5/8) than 26 patients (1/26) infected with other pathogens (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The changing epidemiology of pediatric IE was toward fewer children with RHD. Mortality among children with IE was higher in those with S. aureus infection.