Totally, 33 children (age range: 5 - 17 years; 15 male and 18 female) were enrolled to the study who were diagnosed as ARF at the Pediatric Cardiology Department, Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University. The study protocol was approved by Ethics Committee of Medical Faculty, Eskişehir Osmangazi University (Decision No. 41 dated June 4, 2008). Parents of study participants were informed about the aim and the method of the study and written consents were obtained.