Clinical Manifestations of Rheumatic Fever in Children

Rheumatic fever is one of the major diseases threatening the health and lives of school-age children and adolescents. What are the clinical manifestations of rheumatic fever in children?

Clinical Manifestations of Rheumatic Fever in Children

Affected children commonly present with lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, pallor, excessive sweating, and epistaxis. Abdominal pain and distension may also occur. Most children experience prolonged low-grade fever lasting approximately three to four weeks. In severe cases—with prominent symptoms—heart failure may develop.

Cutaneous manifestations may also occur in pediatric rheumatic fever. Annular erythema: Exudative skin lesions may manifest as urticaria, purpuric scars, maculopapular rashes, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, or annular erythema. Subcutaneous nodules: These are characteristic of rheumatic fever in children. Typically pea-sized, round, and slightly raised above the skin surface, they are non-adherent to underlying tissue, freely movable, and non-tender upon palpation. They commonly occur at tendon insertions near joints—including the elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles—as well as on the scalp or paraspinal regions. Nodules may appear symmetrically, disappear and reappear, and usually resolve spontaneously within two to four weeks. Subcutaneous nodules frequently coexist with carditis and typically emerge several weeks after disease onset, serving as a prominent marker of active rheumatic disease.

Individuals with rheumatic fever should actively prevent streptococcal infection and strictly adhere to prescribed medications under medical supervision. We hope this information is helpful. Wishing you good health and happiness.