Infectious endocarditis in an analysis of fifty-five episodes over a ten-year period

Mortality from infectious endocarditis in the general paediatric population had decreased significantly over the last two decades. This is attributable to the increased awareness of the health care team in recognizing the early signs of this once fatal disease such that early antibiotic intervention is possible. Two groups, however, remain at high risk for infectious endocarditis. Advances in cardiac surgery have dramatically improved the prognosis for survival in many children with otherwise fatal congenital heart diseases. This group of children, along with the seriously ill who have central venous catheters in place, are currently at the highest risk for development of infectious endocarditis.(1-5)