Rheumatic Heart Disease in Children Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which permanent damage to heart valves is caused by rheumatic fever. Cardiomyopathy and Your Child Cardiomyopathy is any disease of the heart muscle in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively. Bacterial Endocarditis Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart. This infection can occur in anyone who has congenital heart disease. Eisenmenger's Syndrome Eisenmenger’s syndrome primarily affects adolescents and adults with congenital heart defects that were repaired after their first birthday or that were never repaired. Pericarditis in Children Pericarditis is inflammation or infection of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart. Kawasaki Disease The main threat from Kawasaki disease comes from its effect on the heart and blood vessels.