Benign acute childhood myositis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings of benign acute childhood myositis.


METHODS
Six children, 1 girl and 5 boys, aged 3-9 years, were admitted to Karadeniz Technical University Paediatric Neurology Department in Trabzon, Turkey, with the diagnosis of benign acute childhood myositis in January and February 2002. The clinical and laboratory findings on the patients were analysed.


RESULTS
Serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were increased in all cases. Two patients had leucopenia. Viral studies were negative. All the patients had a good outcome, and full recovery was achieved within 12 h to 3 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Benign acute childhood myositis is a self-limiting disease with a good prognosis. Pediatricians and pediatric neurologists must be aware of this condition to avoid unnecessary investigations and to differentiate this condition from other causes of acute onset of inability to walk. It may occur in epidemics mainly in the wintertime, suggesting a viral aetiology.
Müjgan Sonmez
Fatma
F
Department of Child Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, TR-61080 Trabzon, Turkey. fmaynacif@dr.com
Cakir
Murat
M
Yayla
Seker
S
Boz
Cavit
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy