Profile of secondary prophylaxis among children with rheumatic heart disease in Alexandria, Egypt.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in specialist children's hospitals in Alexandria, which aimed to evaluate the current regimen of secondary prophylaxis for children suffering from rheumatic heart disease. Two-thirds of the patients had complied with their prophylactic regimen. Prophylactic failure occurred in one-third of the patients, raising doubts about the efficacy of the brands of penicillin prescribed. Recurrence of rheumatic fever was recorded in 37.3% of the patients, with semiruban or rural residence and non-compliance with secondary prophylaxis the significant risk factors. These unsatisfactory findings suggest the need for a more effective strategy of primary and secondary prophylaxis for controlling rheumatic fever in our community.