[Prevention of infective endocarditis in the child. Current status and protocols]

[The pediatrician managing a child with heart disease]

The pediatrician can and must play a pivotal role in the care of children with heart disease. He must provide the preventive care and health supervision as for all children, provide advice to the patient and the family in regards to everyday life, monitor for potential complications or deterioration of the cardiac lesion, and finally play a central role for patients with multiple problems and a chronic illness. The specialist must actively support the generalist with his experience and provide advice for each particular patient. This collaboration should allow the best care to be provided for the patient and maintain the patient and family in an ideal context.