Infectife endocarditis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children with structural heart disease. The aim of this study is to determine the parental knowledge of bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis(BEP).
Parents of 141 healthy children and 135 congenital heart disease patients attending the Pediatric Clinics at Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Korea and Sejong General Hospital, Bucheon, Korea were asked to complete a questionaire pertaining to their konwledge of their child's cardiac disease, medication, BEP, dental attitudes and dental health practicies. Each patients in the study group was matched by age, gender and social class. The patients' need for BEP was determined according to the American Heart Association recommendations.
All patients were asked to complete a questionaire. The mean age of all children was 3 years and 11 months. 19(14.1%) parents correctly defined endocarditis. 72(53.3%) parents knew the correct name of their child's cardiac condition, and 12(50%) of those on medication knew the names of their current medications. Only 29(21.5%) parents whose children were at risk were aware of measures to prevent endocarditis. The patient group had significantly poorer dental health practices than the healthy group. 77.8% of the patient group had never visited the dentist compared with only 47.5% for the healthy group.
While most patents know the name of their child's heart disease and current medication, their general knowledge of endocarditis and BEP was limited. Intensified education and awareness programs are needed in order to prevent potential major morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.