Children with Rheumatic Fever in Minnesota

Abstract

A questionnaire study of Minnesota physicians indicated that 4000 cases of rheumatic fever were treated in 1955 although yearly reports average only 187. To determine how many actual cases existed and how many met accepted criteria, a 10% sampling of the 50% of physicians returning questionnaires was made by personal visits. A second follow-up of the 50% of nonreporting physicians was subsequently made by visiting a 16% sample. These studies show there were 2600 cases in 1955, two-thirds in children under age 15. Rheumatic fever continues to be a prevalent disease and constitutes a serious problem in Minnesota, especially in children.