Periodic syndromes of childhood.
Periodic syndromes of childhood comprise a large group of disorders that require long-term follow-up to be diagnosed. Several disorders have fixed rhythmicity and are therefore identified more easily. Other disorders are usually diagnosed after a prolonged follow-up and exclusion of other more common childhood diseases. In general, most of the periodic fever syndromes have a benign prognosis, and their symptomatology tends to improve in the long term. Periodic syndromes without fever or chronic pain syndromes constitute not only a diagnostic dilemma but also a therapeutic challenge. A general diagnostic approach to the periodic syndromes is outlined in Figure 1.
Arav-Boger
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R
Dana Children Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Spirer
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Z
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004194:Disease; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010507:Periodicity; D013577:Syndrome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy