Secondary prophylaxis with penicillin for rheumatic fever or established rheumatic heart disease

Abstract

Prophylactic penicillin probably reduces rheumatic fever recurrences and streptococcal throat infections among children and adolescents with rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease (moderate certainty of evidence). The effect of prophylactic penicillin on mortality and adverse events among children and adolescents with rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease is uncertain (very low certainty of evidence). No studies reported the effects on rheumatic heart disease progression and disability among children and adolescents with rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease.