Northern Territory Children At Higher Risk For Heart Diseases

The prevalence of rheumatic heart disease was high in indigenous children and comparable to figures from developing countries, but was even worse in the Top End.

Indigenous children in the Northern Territory are three times more likely to suffer rheumatic heart disease (RHD) compared to children in other remote areas, says Australian researchers.

Lead author of the study, Kathryn Roberts from the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin, examined 32 communities across the Northern Territory’s Top End, Central Australia, Far North Queensland including the Torres Strait, and Western Australia's Kimberley region.

Congenital Heart Disease – Septal Defects
Heart diseases that are present at birth are called “ Congenital heart diseases”.

The researchers found that the prevalence of RHD was high in indigenous children and comparable to figures from developing countries, but was even worse in the Top End.

The risk factors for RHD are poor socio-economic status and overcrowding housing, said the researchers.

"Extreme disadvantage would provide a plausible explanation for the higher prevalence of RHD in the Top End," the researchers wrote.

Guidelines for Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Rheumatic Heart Disease
World Heart Federation has proposed new guidelines for the echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Source-Medindia

Diagnosing and Treating Sore Throat Crucial Part of Overall Strategy to Prevent Rheumatic Heart Disease
Diagnosing and treating sore (strep) throat as primary prevention in children and adolescents can halt such cases from developing into acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

Rheumatic Heart Disease More Easily Detected Through Echocardiogram Screenings
A new study published in the journal Circulation reveals that rheumatic heart disease (RHD) can be more easily detected through routine screening with echocardiogram instead of clinical examinations.