Pic used for representational purpose only

If your child has a cough, swollen limbs and suffers from breathlessness, cough syrup may not be the cure. Cardiologists warn that an increasing number of school children, between the ages of 5 and 15, are suffering from an infectious rheumatic heart disease, which is caused by a bacteria, streptococcus.

This happens due to poor immune system, unhygienic conditions, congested classrooms and lack of sunlight. "It is estimated that about eight out of 1,000 kids carry this bacteria. If untreated, it hardens the valves of the heart, hampering their function of regulating blood supply," said Dr Ashok Hishikar, head of cardiovascular department at Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle.

An alarming number of school children are being affected with a rheumatic heart disease, warn cardiologists. A bacteria called streptococcus spreads like infection among children between the ages of 5 and 15, resulting in heart ailments.

Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of rheumatic fever in which the heart valves are damaged. This happens due to poor immune system, unhygienic conditions, congested classrooms and lack of sunlight. Symptoms of the disease include persistent cough accompanied by swollen limbs and breathlessness.

"It is estimated that about eight out of 1,000 kids carry this bacteria. If untreated, it hardens the valves of the heart, hampering their function of regulating blood supply," said Dr Ashok Hishkar, head of cardiovascular department at Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle. Although there is no specific data about the number of kids diagnosed with the disease in the city, doctors suspect it's on the higher side because of the presence of slums.

Urgent treatment

If diagnosed early, it can be treated with antibiotics. Such cases are on the decline in the West and almost eradicated in the USA and UK, but approximately 10 lakh children in India are in need of urgent treatment.
"Teachers must be educated about diagnosing symptoms of rheumatic heart disease. The children too should be aware of basic cardio ailments," said Hishikar. Norina Fernandes, principal of Lilawati Podar Higher Secondary School, Santacruz, said, "If educating teachers can solve the problem, we are open to learning. So far, no student in my school has been affected."

Dr Akshay Mehta, a cardiologist, stated that test studies have revealed that an echocardiogram can diagnose the disease. However, the equipment can be used only after getting prior permission from the BMC, as it can be misused to determine the sex of the unborn among pregnant women.

"It is essential that the diagnosis is done at an early stage, else the heart valves have to be replaced using artificial metallic valves or those procured from donors or animal source," added Mehta. However, these valves last only for eight years. One also needs to take expensive medicines.

These medicines are not advisable to women, who wish to bear kids, as they can damage the foetus and cause bleeding.

Rheumatic heart disease causes more than 2 lakh deaths a year.