Endocarditis in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.

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Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your child's heart. It may also affect the valves in his or her heart.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that your child may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your child's medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done to your child. Make sure all of your questions are answered.

Stay with your child for comfort and support

as often as possible while he or she is in the hospital. Ask another family member or someone close to the family to stay with your child when you cannot be there. Bring items from home that will comfort your child, such as a favorite blanket or toy.

Activity:

Your child may need to rest in bed until his or her infection is better. Your child's healthcare provider will tell you when it is okay for him or her to get out of bed.

Medicines:

• Antibiotics help treat an infection caused by bacteria.
• Antifungals help treat an infection caused by fungus.
• Heart medicine is given to strengthen your child's heart or control his or her heartbeat. Medicine may also be given to decrease stress on his or her heart.
• Diuretics remove extra fluid. Your child may urinate more often when he or she takes this medicine.
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen decrease your child's pain and fever.

Monitoring:

• A heart monitor is an EKG that stays on all of the time to record the electrical activity of your child's heart.
• Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in your child's blood.
• Intake and output may be measured. Healthcare providers will keep track of the amount of liquid your child is getting. They also may need to know how much your child is urinating. Ask healthcare providers if they need to measure or collect your child's urine.
• Your child may be weighed each day. This will help healthcare providers check for extra fluid in your child's body.

Tests:

• An EKG records your child's heart rhythm and how fast his or her heart beats. It is used to check for problems with his or her heart.
• Blood and urine tests are used to check for infection.
• An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound that checks for infection in your child's heart. Sound waves are used to show the structure and function of your child's heart. Your child may need a transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiogram. Ask your child's healthcare provider about these types of echocardiograms.

Treatment:

• IV fluids help prevent or treat dehydration.
• Oxygen is needed if your child's blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. Your child may get oxygen through a mask placed over his or her nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in his or her nostrils. Ask your child's healthcare provider before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.
• Surgery may be needed to repair or replace a damaged heart valve. Procedures may also be needed to remove an infected IV catheter or implanted device.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• vancomycin
• ceftriaxone
• Ancef
• Rifadin
• Flagyl

View more treatment options

RISKS:

The infection may spread to other areas of your child's heart and body. Endocarditis increases your child's risk for a blood clot, heart failure, and stroke. Endocarditis also increases his or her risk for arthritis, kidney infection, brain infection, and abnormal heartbeats. These problems may become life-threatening.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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