Recurrent episodic fever. A presenting feature of familial Mediterranean fever.
OBJECTIVE
To study the natural course and outcome of recurrent episodic fever without serositis as a presenting feature of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).


METHODS
Of 309 children with FMF seen over a period of 5 years, 8 presented with recurrent episodes of fever without serositis, imposing a difficult diagnostic problem.


RESULTS
The age at onset of fever ranged between 5 months and 8 years with a mean of 2.5 years. Five patients eventually developed serositis. The duration between onset of fever and onset of serositis ranged between 1.5-3 years with a mean of 2 years. Of the 3 patients who did not develop serositis, 2 had a family history of FMF. Therapeutic response to colchicine was dramatic in 7 children (one refused colchicine prophylaxis).


CONCLUSIONS
Episodic fever alone without serositis is a presenting feature of FMF. In patients from Mediterranean ancestors and/or the presence of family history of FMF, a therapeutic diagnostic test with colchicine could be rewarding.
Majeed
H A
HA
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Rawashdeh
M
M
Qubain
H
H
D017668:Age of Onset; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male
D003078:Colchicine