A child with no known congenital problems is diagnosed with inflammation of the heart valves. The medical history of the child is unremarkable except for a sore throat and fever six weeks prior, which the parents attributed to a common cold. The heart valve inflammation is most likely due to

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The inflammation of the heart valves described is most likely due to autoimmune complications following an infection with Streptococcus pyogenes, which can cause rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can occur after an untreated or inadequately treated strep throat infection, which aligns with the child's history of sore throat and fever.

A Child with No Known Congenital Problems Is Diagnosed with Inflammation