epidemiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
Incidence is related to socioeconomic status and crowding:
- incidence is highest in 5 to 15 year olds
- outbreaks can occur in closed communities
- annual incidence in developed countries 0.6 per 100,000 children
- incidence in children in Kuwait is 29 per 100,000
- seasonal incidence follows that of streptococcal pharyngitis
- mortality from initial attack - less than 1%
- chronic rheumatic heart disease occurs in more than 50% of those suffering an acute attack
- 0.3-3% of children with group A streptococcal pharyngitis subsequently develop rheumatic fever