Recurrent fever in children and the risk of rheumatic disease
Experts have issued important warnings to families regarding periodic fever episodes and PFAPA syndrome, which are often confused with upper respiratory tract infections in children.
Periodic fever episodes in children, frequently confused with upper respiratory tract infections, can be precursors to rheumatic diseases. Experts have issued a warning to families.
Periodic Fever Episodes
Periodic fever and PFAPA syndrome, which emerge with the development of an immune response in children without any infection, must be closely monitored by families.
In PFAPA syndrome, which is one of the most common causes of periodic fever, fever episodes tend to recur in a distinct calendar pattern.
Symptoms and Course
During an attack, the child's fever suddenly rises to between 39 and 40 degrees Celsius, and this condition generally lasts for 3 to 5 days.
High fever can be accompanied by clinical findings such as redness in the throat, painful sores inside the mouth, and swelling in the neck lymph nodes.
Early Childhood Period
In this disorder, which typically begins during early childhood between the ages of 2 and 5, the child completely returns to normal as soon as the attack ends.
Treatment Approaches
While it is emphasized that PFAPA syndrome is not an infectious disease, routine antibiotic use has no effect on the treatment.
It is scientifically reported that certain probiotics, as a first-line treatment method, show benefits in 6 to 7 out of every 10 patients.
Criteria for Consulting a Specialist
If the fever lasts longer than 3 days, and if fatigue and inability to feed are observed in the child, a pediatrician should be consulted without wasting time.
Cases that do not respond to antibiotics and recur in a calendar pattern must definitely be evaluated by a pediatric rheumatology specialist.