Affected by Surgery, Healed by Medicine a Successful Story

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) is relatively less common in children compared to adults but can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The epidemiology of IE has shifted in recent years, from rheumatic heart disease (less prevalence) to congenital heart disease (increased survival) and an increase in the use of central venous catheters in children with chronic illness. Children with no preexisting cardiac disease can be affected rarely. We present a case of a 13-year-old boy with no cardiac disease, presented with a fever. He had a history of surgery for hypospadias 3 weeks before presentation. He was diagnosed with IE according to modified Duke criteria. The blood cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococci aureus. The case was surgically deferred in view of his clinical condition and was managed medically. We emphasize the importance of having a high index of suspicion for endocarditis in children with fever even without cardiac disease.

Keywords

• embolization
• fever
• infective endocarditis
• modified duke criteria
• native valve