A dissertation on the prevalence and significance of cardic murmurs in school children.

A school survey to determines the prevalence and significance of cardiac murmurs was conducted in 4,717 Dar Es Salaam school children between January and August 1988. The prevalence of cardiac murmurs was 4.43%. The prevalence of organic heart disease was 2.54 per 1000. The prevalence of congenital and rheumatic heart disease was 2.33 per 1000 and 0.25 per 1000 respectively. Most children (83%) were asymptomatic and were diagnosed for the first time during the school survey. There was a significant age trend in the prevalence of murmurs with a maximal age incidence of 5.1% in those aged 13 years and above. A history suggestive of rheumatic fever was present in 14.3% of those with cardiac murmurs. Only 3(10%) had significantly raised ASOT. Regular screening of school children for heart disease is recommended.