Infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection, can cause serious injury or death in children, and surgery may be needed to treat it. However, there is not a lot of information about surgery for this disease in children. Because of this, doctors have used information about the disease in adults to guide what surgery might be best for children with this condition. The body of a child is very different to that of an adult however, meaning that we may not be providing the best possible care for children with this condition. More information on surgery for this disease in children is needed and our research aims to provide this by investigating the past results of children who had surgery for this disease. This will provide doctors with more relevant information when treating these children, helping deliver the best possible care and reducing negative consequences or outcomes. It will also provide children and their families with better information about the disease and help them work with their doctors to determine what's best for their child.
Last updated12 March 2024