Heart screenings detect rheumatic disease in 2% of children

Heart screening programmes in Fiji’s outer islands are finding two children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in every 100 screened, matching global statistics.

Dr Maryanne Kora’ai, a pediatrician with special interest in pediatric cardiology, returned from a successful screening mission to Vanuabalavu, Lau, last month where her team examined children in schools, kindergartens and villages.

“Published data shows two per cent of children have this condition. So, in 100 children, you’ll find two.

“That’s about the rate we expected and found,” Dr Kora'ai told this masthead.

The screening programme, conducted in partnership with Heart Heroes Fiji, targeted not only rheumatic heart disease but also congenital heart conditions that children are born with. Dr Kora’ai said the response from parents and children was overwhelming after Heart Heroes Fiji conducted prior awareness campaigns.

“The public knew what RHD was and they knew we were coming to screen and the importance of screening. So, the turnout was very good,” she said.

The pediatrician explained that early detection was crucial because children often show no symptoms in the mild stages of rheumatic heart disease.

“Often, we don’t know because the child appears well. When doctors use a stethoscope to listen to the heart, we might not pick it up. But an echo scan can catch it,” she said.

Rheumatic heart disease starts from a sore throat or skin infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. While 97 per cent of children have normal immune responses, three percent develop an abnormal reaction that can damage heart valves.

“I’d rather screen children and catch the disease early than see them arrive at the hospital in heart failure when we can't really do much,” Dr Kora’ai said.

The condition affects children aged 5 to 15 years and can be prevented with proper treatment of sore throats and regular injections for those diagnosed.