Rheumatic Fever Article Questioned

Abstract

To the Editor.— The suggestion of Nordin1 that there may be a need to re-evaluate the current recommended prophylaxis for children with rheumatic fever is valid, particularly if carefully planned and controlled studies could be carried out. However, the author's contention that "It has been assumed that the levels of penicillin [following monthly intramuscular injection of 1.2 million units of benzathine penicillin G] are adequate to prevent reinfection with group A streptococcus, and hence to prevent recurrences of rheumatic fever" has always been qualified by others.