A National Prospective Surveillance Study of Acute Rheumatic Fever in Australian Children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an important cause of heart disease in Indigenous people of northern and central Australia. However, little is known about ARF in children across all Australian population groups. This national prospective study was conducted to determine patterns of disease, and populations and regions at highest risk. METHODS: The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit surveillance model was used to collect data on children with ARF across Australia. Children up to 15 years of age were included if they had an ARF episode diagnosed between October 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010 that met the case definition. RESULTS: ARF was identified in 151 children: 131 Indigenou..