Parents' knowledge of infective endocarditis in children with congenital heart disease

Introduction: The guidelines to prophylaxis of infectious endocarditis changed, but many congenital heart diseases continue to be considered as high risk for the development of the disease. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of parents or guardians of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease seen at a referral center in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on infective endocarditis and its prevention. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 90 patients with congenital heart defects in regular outpatient treatment. The parents' knowledge was assessed using a specific questionnaire and other data were obtained through medical records. Results: The median age of patients was 5.6 years (3 months -14 years), being 57,7% males. The median follow-up time in service was 3.49 years (1.20-7.38). The years of formal schooling of the parents had a mean of 7.67 +/- 3.25 years. According to the score previously established, the knowledge of the interviewed parents was considered satisfactory in 37.7%, regular in 33.3% and unsatisfying in 28,8%. There was significant correlation between the index of parents' knowledge and monitoring of children at service (r=0.584; P=0.796). There was no correlation between parents' education and knowledge of them (r=0.028; P=0.796). Conclusion: The parents' knowledge about endocarditis and its prevention was inadequate, requiring greater attention to the orientations passed in consultations.