Endocarditis prophylaxis in children with congenital heart disease. A parent's awareness

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the parental knowledge of bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis (BEP).

METHODS: Parents of 205 patients attending the Pediatric Cardiology Clinics at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, King Fahad University Hospital, Al-Khobar and Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from July 1999 to June 2000, were interviewed by a standard questionnaire pertaining to their knowledge of their child's cardiac disease, medications, and BEP. The patients' cardiac lesions and current medications were verified by a review of medical records. Each patient's need for BEP was determined according to American Heart Association recommendations.

RESULTS: All parents answered the interview questions. The patients' mean age was 5 years and 8 months with a range of one month to 15 years. One hundred and two (50%) parents were high school graduates. Fifty-two (25%) parents correctly defined endocarditis. Two hundred and one (98%) parents knew the correct name of their child's cardiac condition, and 46/50 (92%) of those on medication knew the names of their child's current medications. Only 113/176 (64%) parents with at risk children were aware of measures to prevent endocarditis.

CONCLUSION: While most parents know the name of their child's heart lesion and current medications, parental knowledge of endocarditis and BEP was limited. Intensified education and awareness programs are needed in order to prevent potential major morbidity and mortality for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.