Follow-up echocardiographic changes in children and youth aged <25 years with latent rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global data.

Objectives: To estimate progression, regression and persistence rates for borderline and mild-definite latent RHD in children and youth diagnosed at age < 25 years.

Methods: A review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Electronic databases were searched for latent RHD echocardiography follow-up studies which used World Heart Federation diagnostic criteria.