ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the importance attributed to tonsillitis by guardians and their level of knowledge about the disease, correlating their management with their schooling and socioeconomic profiles. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive and observational cross-sectional study involving students aged 5 to 17 years from state-owned and private schools. A questionnaire was applied on management of tonsillitis and knowledge about rheumatic fever, addressing demographic and socioeconomic data. Results: A total of 323 students were included, predominantly females (61.3%), from state-owned schools (77.1%), with a mean age of 9.7±0.3 years. Among the guardians, 48.6% completed high school. Among the students 75.2% had at least one episode of odynophagia in the previous 12 months. Considering the previous 2 years, 89.8% reported this symptom. There was no collection of bacteriological specimens in 67.8%, and in 83% if taking into account only the last episode, despite the search for medical care in most cases (92.6%). The use of anti-inflammatory drugs was very frequent (43.0% “always” and 42.4% “sometimes”). Among the guardians, 81.7% denied being aware of the relation between rheumatic fever and inappropriate treatment of odynophagia; 85.8% said they wished they had received more information. Conclusion: Although it is quite common in schoolchildren, tonsillitis is neglected by many guardians and health professionals, and the ignorance of its relation with rheumatic fever is practically universal, which may contribute to its high prevalence.

Distúrbios do aparelho respiratório nas doenças reumáticas que acometem a faixa etária pediátrica não são raros e podem apresentar características clínicas diferentes quando comparados ao quadro clínico de adultos. Este artigo de revisão procura mostrar as principais manifestações do aparelho respiratório, com ênfase no acometimento pulmonar, nas principais doenças reumáticas da infância e adolescência

Respiratory tract disorders in the juvenile rheumatic diseases are not infrequent and can have different clinical features when compared with those in the adult diseases. The purpose of this review article is to show the main manifestations of the respiratory tract, with an emphasis on lung involvement, in the most frequent juvenile rheumatic diseases

OBJETIVOS: Descrever uma população de crianças com diagnóstico de doença de Kawasaki (DK) atendida em centros de reumatologia pediátrica do Rio de Janeiro. Analisar o período de atraso no diagnóstico e início do tratamento, devido à dificuldade de distinguir DK de outras doenças febris comuns da infância; e o impacto deste atraso na frequência de sequelas coronarianas. MÉTODOS: Os dados analisados incluíram: nome, sexo, idade, data do inicio dos sintomas e da admissão no serviço especializado, sintomatologia, evolução clínica, uso de Imunoglobulina Endovenosa (IGEV) e complicações coronarianas. RESULTADOS: Dos 125 casos estudados, 63% eram meninos. 40% tinham menos de 2 anos no momento do diagnóstico. O intervalo médio entre o inicio dos sintomas e o diagnóstico de DK foi de 12 dias (duração média da febre = 14 dias). Dos casos estudados, 22,4% receberam o diagnostico de DK antes do atendimento em serviço especializado; nos demais, as hipóteses diagnosticas iniciais incluíam: infecções bacterianas (60%), virais (12%), outras doenças reumatológicas (4%) e reações adversas à vacinação (1,6%). Em 85.6 % dos casos registrou-se o tratamento realizado, sendo administrada IGEV em 46,7%, e a partir do 10º dia em 21,5% dos casos. Dos 20 pacientes apresentando sequelas coronarianas, 9 tiveram diagnóstico tardio, incluindo 3 iniciando tratamento após o 10º dia e 6 sem tratamento. Não encontramos associação significativa entre a frequência de sequelas coronarianas e: sexo; idade; critérios clínicos; tratamento com IGEV antes ou depois do 10º dia de doença. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico de DK pode ser atrasado pela dificuldade em diferenciá-lo de outras doenças febris da infância.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a population of children diagnosed with Kawasaki's disease (KD) in pediatric rheumatology centers of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, defining the magnitude of the delay period in diagnosing KD and initiating treatment due to confusion with common childhood febrile illnesses and the impact of this delay on the frequency of coronary sequels. METHODS: Data analysis from hospital records summarized in a dedicated form, including name, gender, age, date of first recorded clinical signs, date of admission to the specialty service, information about symptoms, clinical evolution, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) use and coronary sequels. RESULTS: Of 125 patients, 63% were males. 40% were under 2 years at diagnosis. Average lapse between earliest signs and KD diagnosis was 12 days (mean fever duration, 14 d). Only 22.4% had a diagnosis of KD before entering the specialty service. For the remainder, initial hipotheses included: bacterial (60%) and viral infections (12%), rheumatological diseases (4%) and adverse vaccination reactions (1.6%). Hence, prevalent febrile illnesses of childhood were major confounding factors. For records (85.6%) mentioning treatment, 46.7% reported IVIG treatment, beginning after day 10 in 23 cases (21.5%). 20 patients (16%) presented coronary sequels, 9 of which were diagnosed late, including 3 given IVIG after day 10, and 6 given no IVIG. We found no significant association between the frequency of coronary sequels and: a) sex; b) age; c) clinical criteria; d) initiation of IVIG treatment (before or after day 10). CONCLUSIONS: Common febrile illnesses of childhood often confound the diagnosis of KD.