Prevention of Bacterial Endocarditis Using Antibiotics

What is bacterial endocarditis?

Bacterial endocarditis is a disease of the heart valves or the inner lining of the heart. Bacteria can attach onto these structures and begin to grow. Some children with heart defects or heart diseases (such as rheumatic fever) are more likely to get bacterial endocarditis. This condition can usually be prevented by taking antibiotic medicine before an operation or other medical or dental procedure. It is especially important if your child has previously had bacterial endocarditis, that you talk to your health care provider before surgery or dental work to check if your child will need antibiotics.

When should my child take antibiotics?

Dental Procedures:

The most common reason your child will need antibiotics is for a dental procedure. Your child should receive antibiotics before dental procedures when bleeding is expected. Procedures that cause bleeding include:

• cleaning teeth
• cutting tissue
• probing the gums
• reimplanting a live or a false tooth
• placing orthodontic bands.

Your child does not need to take the medicine if there will be no bleeding. Procedures that usually do not cause bleeding include:

• filling cavities
• injecting of anesthetics (painkillers) for dental procedures
• adjusting orthodontic devices that are already in place
• getting fluoride treatments.

Antibiotic treatment is also not necessary when your child loses baby teeth.

Medical Procedures:

Other situations in which your child should take antibiotics include operations and procedures that involve:

• The respiratory system, including the nose, mouth, and upper part of the airway (such as removing tonsils or having a rigid bronchoscopy).
• The stomach and intestines, including the esophagus (the swallowing tube), bile ducts, and colon.
• The genitals or urinary system, including the bladder and the urethra (the tube that urine goes through).

Some procedures do not require antibiotics. These include:

• putting in ear tubes
• circumcision.

The decision to use antibiotics is sometimes complex. Your doctor may consider many factors before deciding whether to order antibiotics for your child. Always talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the need for antibiotics.

Be sure to tell your doctor if your child has any allergies to any medicines before they are prescribed.

Card For Patient to Carry

 
+-Cut-here-----------------------------+Cut-here        
  Date _______________________________
  Name _______________________________
  should be treated before certain 
  dental and medical procedures for 
  prevention of bacterial endocarditis 
  because of the following heart
  condition: _________________________

  Prescribed by: _____________________ 
+-Cut-here-----------------------------+Cut-here