Turk Pediatr Arsivi
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Turk Pediatr Arsivi · Mar 2016
ReviewUpdate on diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever: 2015 Jones criteria.
In the final Jones criteria, different diagnostic criteria were established for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever for low risk and moderate-high risk populations. Turkey was found to be compatible with moderate-high risk populations as a result of regional screenings performed in terms of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. The changes in the diagnostic criteria for low-risk populations include subclinical carditis found on echocardiogram as a major criterion in addition to carditis found clinically and a body temperature of 38.5°C and above as a minor criterion. ⋯ In the final Jones criteria, it has been recommended that patients who do not fully meet the diagnostic criteria of acute rheumatic fever should be treated as acute rheumatic fever if another diagnosis is not considered and should be followed up with benzathine penicilin prophylaxis for 12 months. It has been decided that these patients be evaluated 12 months later and a decision for continuation or discontinuation of prophylaxis should be made. In countries where the disease is prevalent, it is very important for physicians to make an accurate diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever with their own logic and assessment in addition to the criteria proposed.