Rheumatic fever: A ten-year review of patients admitted to an Irish children's Hospital

The prognosis in rheumatic fever is affected adversely by delay between onset of symptoms and the institution of treatment. Increasing degrees of severity of carditis are likewise associated with worsening of prognosis. Boys overall do better than girls. The various laboratory aids give no significant guide to ultimate prognosis. Failure to adhere to prophylaxis can result in recurrence and death.