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Acute Rheumatic Fever — RACP Paediatrics MCQ

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HardCardiologyAcute Rheumatic FeverRACP Paediatrics

A 15-year-old Aboriginal boy from the Kimberley region of Western Australia presents with polyarthritis and a new murmur 2 weeks after a sore throat. He has an elevated ASO titre and CRP. Under the modified Jones criteria for high-risk populations, which clinical finding alone could meet a major criterion that would not qualify in a low-risk population?

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Correct answer: D — Monoarthritis

In high-risk populations (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians), the 2015 revised Jones criteria accept monoarthritis as a major criterion (in addition to polyarthritis). In low-risk populations, only polyarthritis qualifies as a major manifestation. This modification was made because ARF in high-risk populations frequently presents with monoarthritis.

Reference: RHDAustralia – 2024 – Australian Guideline for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease