Original Research ArticleInternational Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
Publication: Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease among school children of Patna District in Eastern India and an insight into its prevention
Int J Contemp Pediatr. 2025;12(11):1805-1810.DOI10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20253484
Abstract
Background Bihar is considered as a ‘hot spot’ for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of RHD among school children in Patna district in Bihar.
Methods We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in school children of Patna district.
Results This study estimated that the prevalence of RHD was 1.06 per 1,000 among school children in Patna. None of the factors, including mother’s education, father's education, and family income, was a significant risk factor for its causation.
Conclusions Considering the significant morbidity and mortality it causes, preventive measures at all levels, especially the secondary prevention, must be applied in any region to reduce the disease burden of RHD and its impact on society due to disease severity.
Keywords
Affiliations
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
- Department of Pediatrics, Kurjee Holy Family Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India