Become A Serious Threat, IDAI Warns Children About Reumatic Heart Disease On National Health Day

JAKARATA Reumatic Fever (DR) and Reumatic Heart Disease (PJR) are still serious health threats and are often not realized for children in Indonesia. This condition, which stems from an infection of ordinary throats that are not handled properly, can result in permanent heart valve damage, heart failure, to death.

Delivered by DR Dr Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A, Subsp Kardio(K), Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), "Reumatic Heart Disease (PJR) is the most common cause of heart disease obtained in children and adolescents in many developing countries, including Indonesia. Unfortunately, awareness of the dangers of infection in the streptoccus throat and its complications is still very low. Many new cases are diagnosed when heart valve damage is already in a severe stage, which the treatment becomes more complex and expensive."

From The Burst Of Theappropriation To Permanent Heart Damage

Dr. Rizky Adriansyah, M.Ked(Ped), Sp.A, Subsp. Cardio(K), Chair of IDAI's UKK Kardiology, in the seminar Recognizing Heart Disease in Children'' explained, "Reumatic Fever (DR) is an immune reaction that occurs 1-5 weeks after inflammation of the throat due to infection with Streptococcus bacteria Group A. If not treated, DR can develop into PJR, which is permanent heart valve damage."

Symptoms of DR that parents and teachers need to watch out for include:

* Pain and swelling of moving joints.

* The reddish dress is in the form of a circle.

* Cardiac complaints such as shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitation heart, and swelling on the leg.

* The anxiety movement is out of control like 'dancing' (Khorea Sydenham).

The High Burden Of PJR In Indonesia And Its Challenges Of Handling

Indonesia is an endemic country for PJR with a death rate of 4.8 per 100,000 population, higher than the death rate from malaria (3 per 100,000). Data from the IDAI Coordinates Work Unit (UKK) in 2018 revealed that only 6 out of 10 children were able to survive after 8 years of being diagnosed with PJR, and 4 out of 10 children who had just been diagnosed with heart valve damage.

"The main challenge in handling PJR in Indonesia is very complex," added dr. Rizky. "Starting from low early detection, non-compliance with preventive treatment, to the non-availability of Benzatin Penisilin G (BPG) which is the backbone of secondary prevention therapy."

BPG is an injection antibiotic that must be given regularly every 3-4 weeks to prevent the recovery of DR and to increase PJR. Unfortunately, the availability of this drug in health facilities, especially referral hospitals, is often limited.

IDAI emphasizes that prevention is the most effective step.

Primary Prevention (Avoiding Reumatic Fever):

* Treating SGA throat infection to completion with antibiotics (10-14 days).

* Applying Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS): wash your hands with soap, do not share food utensils, cover your mouth when coughing/snee.

* Improve sanitation and ventilation at home and school.

Securrence Prevention (Prevents Recurrence In Children Who Have Been Diagnosed DR/PJR):

* BPG injections regularly for a minimum of 5 years or until the age of 21 years, depending on the severity of valve damage.

* "With a good referral system, BPG injections can be done in the regions (RS and Puskesmas)," explained dr. Rizky.

IDAI emphasized the importance of joint commitment from all parties because to overcome PJR requires collaboration from all parties, including:

Parents and teachers should increase their awareness of symptoms of sore throat and DR, as well as ensure compliance with treatment, for the community to encourage the implementation of PHBS and a healthy environment.

Dr. Rizky Adriansyah also called for the importance of government intervention through "National screening and registribution programs for DR and PJR, and no less important is the procurement of BPG in primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities."

Data support from WASHActs (2025) reinforces how urgent the improvement of basic infrastructure: 1.5 million children do not have access to hand washing facilities with water and soap in schools, and 58% of schools still do not have access to basic sanitation.

"Let's together be part of the Healthy Heart of Indonesian Children, Save the Successor of the Nation," concluded Dr. Piprim reminded. With collective efforts, the burden of Reumatic Heart Disease on Indonesian children can be reduced and prevented.