High prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in schoolchildren detected by echocardiography screening in <scp>N</scp>ew <scp>C</scp>aledonia

Abstract

This study documented a high prevalence of RHD in New Caledonia, particularly in districts located outside Noumea and in children of Melanesian heritage. These results uncover a hitherto unknown burden of disease in New Caledonia and underline the importance of delivering secondary prophylaxis to reduce the prevalence of RHD.