Les fièvres prolongées de l'enfant : à propos de 110 cas

Incidence of prolonged fever varies between 0.4 to 3% of all paediatric hospital-stay. The first problem to face in prolonged fever is its etiologic diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to precise the epidemiologic and etiologic profile of prolonged fever in children in our region.Patients and methodsIt's a retrospective study in 110 children with prolonged fever enrolled in the general paediatrics department of Sahloul university hospital in Sousse (Tunisia) between 1^st June 1993 and 31 May 2005.ResultsThere were 66 boys ands 44 girls (sex-ratio = 1.5) aged 3 months to 14 years (mean age = 4 years and 4 months). The incidence of prolonged fever was 0.76%. The mean fever duration was 25 days. Fever was isolated in 31.8 % of cases and particularly associated to digestives signs in 29% of cases and arthralgia in 13.7% of cases. Hospital stay was 17 days on average. Prominent causes were dominated by infectious diseases (58.2%) with predominance of general infections notably of visceral leishmaniosis, followed by inflammatory diseases (15.4%) with predominance of Kawasaki disease, and neoplasms (2.7%). Fever of unknown origin was seen in 23.6% of cases.ConclusionInfectious and inflammatory diseases dominate the causes of prolonged fever in child. We noted in this study the relative high frequency of visceral leishmaniosis and Kawasaki disease. The diagnosis approach should be based on complementary exams of first and second stage.     

不明原因长期发热的临床分析

目的 探讨不明原因长期发热患儿的病因及诊断方法。方法 回顾性地总结分析符合ＦＵＯ诊断标准的患儿１１８例。结果 １１８例中晚期诊断有１０７例,确诊率为９０．７５,未能确诊１１例,确诊病例中,感染性疾病３３例,结缔组织病４４例,肿瘤及瘤样病１４例,其他疾病１３例,伪装热３例。最终确定诊断的方法分别为;血清学和细菌学检查７５例,占７０．０％;组织活检１３例,占１２．１％;骨髓检查９例,占８４％,影像学检     

National survey of childhood febrile illness cases with fever of unknown origin in Japan

Background: In Japan, an actual condition survey on childhood febrile diseases with fever of unknown origin has never been performed. We carried out a national survey on childhood febrile illnesses in order to collect useful information for the differential diagnosis. Methods: A nationwide survey using questionnaires was performed on febrile illness cases with fever of unknown origin (FUO) experienced by 2843 pediatrics institutions with sick beds during a 5‐year period before 2007. FUO was defined as a febrile illness of at least 2 weeks' duration with a temperature ≥38°C, and failure to establish a diagnosis in spite of intensive evaluation during seven days' hospitalization. Results: Two hundred fifty‐five of 2843 questionnaire‐surveyed institutions had 960 FUO cases, of which 132 could not be diagnosed, and 828 could be diagnosed after detailed medical examinations. The diagnoses they clarified included infectious diseases in 190 cases (23%), rheumatic diseases in 448 cases (54%), neoplasms in 67 cases (8%), and others in 123 cases (15%). Conclusion: Clarification of illnesses that ought to be differentiated in the diagnostic approach to an FUO case is essential for arriving at its definitive diagnosis by exclusion.     

744例儿童发热待查的临床分析

目的 探讨儿童发热待查病因构成、诊断方法和思路。方法 １９９３年１月１日￣１９９８年１２月３１日符合发热待查诊断标准的住院患儿７４４例,按年龄分为〈３岁,３￣７岁、〉７岁三组,进行回顾性分析。结果：（１）〈３岁组９６例,其中感染性疾病５０例（５２％）（呼吸道感染２１例,２２％）;先天性疾病１４例（１５％）;恶性肿瘤９例（９％）。（２）３￣７岁组１９２例,感染性疾病１１５例（５９．９％）（呼吸道感染     

317例儿童不明原因发热的临床分析

目的：探讨儿童不明原因发热(FUO)的病因,诊断方法和思维方式。方法：回顾性地总结分析1996年1月至2000年12月符合FUO诊断标准的住院患儿317例。结果：317例中明确诊断有298例,确诊率为94.0%。感染性疾病160例(53.7%),非感染性疾病138例(46.3%),两者之比为1.15∶1。最终确定诊断的方法分别为：临床综合诊断140例(47.0%);血清和骨髓细菌培养检查64例(21.5%);组织活检37例(12.4%);影像学检查35例(11.7%);尸体解剖11例(3.7%);骨髓形态学确诊6例(1.9%);回顾性诊断5例(1.7%)。结论：根据临床经过和必要的实验室检查大部分FUO病例可以明确病因诊断,病理学检查对疑难病例的诊断提供重要依据,极少数病人最终只能依赖尸检明确诊断。感染性疾病、结缔组织病和恶性肿瘤性疾病是该组FUO的主要原因。     

Noninfectious febrile inflammatory syndromes in children: diagnosis and usefulness of diagnostic procedures]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the causes and to quantify the benefits obtained from further diagnostic investigations in children presenting with a non infectious inflammatory fever. METHODS: The records of 62 children aged from two-months to 15 years (median: four years) admitted to a paediatric department between 1990 and 2000 for the evaluation of a fever associated to an inflammatory syndrome, defined as temperature over 38 degrees C with an increase of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) more than 20 mm/h and/or a serum C-reactive protein level (CRP) > 20 mg/L, and excluding overt infectious diseases, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of these patients, 79% children (49 cases) had inflammatory systemic disease, 3.2% (two cases) had malignancy, and 17.8% (11 cases) had undiagnosed disorders. The most frequent disease was Kawasaki disease (22 children), especially in young children. Increase of ESR above 100 mm/h and of CRP above 100 mg/L was present in 59% of Kawasaki disease, 71% of idiopathic juvenile arthritis, 100% of malignancies and 7% of unknown diagnoses. Increase of ESR below 50 mm/h and of CRP below 50 mg/L was present in 75% of hemophagocytic syndromes and 46% of unknown diagnosis. The polymorphonuclear count, hepatic function evaluation, triglycerides levels, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography, echocardiography, biopsies were useful diagnosis tools. Technetium scintigraphy was helpful only when abnormalities were found on physical examination. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of Kawasaki disease must be quickly suspected in febrile young children with inflammatory syndrome without infection. ESR and CRP values, abdominal ultrasound and echocardiography are helpful tools for the diagnostic procedure.     

Distinguishing among prolonged, recurrent, and periodic fever syndromes: approach of a pediatric infectious diseases subspecialist

Most children with prolonged, recurrent, or periodic fever are healthy and have self-limited, common illnesses, and the primary care practitioner usually can reassure families and continue to reassess the patient as circumstances dictate. For a child with true fever of unknown origin, a pediatric infectious diseases subspecialist should be consulted. This article discusses three objectives for the clinician: (1) to categorize patterns of fever illnesses and prioritize differential diagnoses; (2) to diagnose and manage the most frequently encountered prolonged fever syndrome, deconditioning; and (3) to expand knowledge and approach to diagnosing periodic fever syndromes. The approach described in this article represents the honed, 30-year experience of a pediatric infectious diseases subspecialist.     

Evaluation of 80 children with prolonged fever

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been published regarding the etiology and evaluation of a child with prolonged fever, however, the reasons for the prolonged fever have changed during the years. The present study aims to determine the causes of prolonged fever, to investigate the relationship of fever using some basic laboratory tests, and to establish guidelines for the approach in those children. METHODS: The charts of 80 out of 17490 hospitalized children who were seen between 1996 and 2001 with prolonged fever of longer than 2 weeks and unknown origin were reviewed in the university hospital of Izmir, Turkey. Their charts were evaluated in respect of age, sex, growth curves, educational level of their families, the duration and the magnitude of fever, causes of fever, and basic laboratory investigations such as white blood cell, blood smear, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. RESULTS: Forty-four (55.00%) were boys and 36 (45.00%) were girls. Forty-four children (55.00%) were aged between 1 month and 2 years, 21 (26.25%) were aged 3-6 years, seven (8.75%) were aged 7-10 years, and eight (10.00%) were older than 10 years. The mean age was 3.87 +/- 4.17 years (range 3 months-17 years). Forty-six children (57.50%) had a prolonged fever that had lasted from 15-30 days, 18 (22.50%) from 31-60 days, and 16 (20.00%) had fever lasting more than 60 days. Final diagnosis had been reached in 70 of the 80 children (87.50%). The most common causes were infection (47/80), followed by immune deficiency (6/80), collagen tissue disorder (5/80), neoplasia (2/80), and miscellaneous (10/80) such as central fever in three, diabetes insipidus in two, familial Mediterranean fever in two, Kawasaki disease, foreign body in the respiratory system, and Crohn disease in one patient each. Among the laboratory tests white blood cell count, hemoglobin level and blood smear distribution of infection group were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of fever of unknown origin remains infection. The proportion of collagen tissue disorders and neoplasia have been found to be decreased. Unusual reasons such as diabetes insipidus and foreign body in the respiratory system in the miscellaneous group have been detected. Age plays important role in the diagnosis of prolonged fever, while some basic laboratory tests might give clues in the evaluation and may suggest a diagnosis.     

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目的探讨儿童感染性心内膜炎(IE)的临床特点、治疗方法及转归。方法回顾分析中南大学湘雅二医院儿科1980—2004年确诊的174例IE患儿的临床特点。174例患儿中男94例,女80例,年龄3个月至14岁,病程3d至4个月。结果(1)99例IE发生在先天性心脏病的基础上,35例发生在风湿性心脏病的基础上,35例发生在无器质性心脏病基础上,4例于先天性心脏病手术后发生,1例发生在肥厚性心肌病的小儿。(2)临床主要表现:发热(150例,86·2%)、肝大(74例,42·5%)、脾大(55例,31·6%)、贫血(65例,37·4%)、血沉增快(68例,39·1%)、多发性脏器栓塞(34例,17·8%)。细菌培养76例(76/174)阳性,阳性率43·7%,其中55例为葡萄球菌。(3)受累瓣膜以二尖瓣赘生物最多见,占48·3%。(4)并发症以顽固性心衰为主(25·2%),其次为神经系统并发症(13·2%),瓣膜腱索断裂最少见(0·57%)。(5)由于IE临床表现很不典型,病例早期被误诊为流感、肺结核、急性风湿热、肾小球肾炎等10余种疾病。(6)治愈率为60·9%,其中单用抗生素治疗治愈76例(71·6%),抗感染治疗联合外科手术治愈30例(28·3%)。死亡28例(16·1%),脑栓塞及顽固性心衰是IE最常见的死亡原因。结论发生IE的基础心脏病中,先天性心脏病跃居首位,风湿性心脏病逐渐减少。血培养、超声心动图检查有助于IE的诊断。对于IE最重要的治疗措施是应用抗生素,若经内科治疗效果不满意应尽早考虑外科治疗。     

Fever of unknown origin in 185 paediatric patients: a single-centre experience

Aim: We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the causes and outcome in children with fever of unknown origin (FUO). Methods: From 1990 to 1999, 185 children with FUO were evaluated. Initial evaluation included routine haematological analysis, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology, urine, stool or blood cultures, chest X-ray and tuberculin probe. Results: In 131 (70%) patients diagnosis was established, and 70 (37.8%) had infectious disease. EBV infection was the most common infection followed by visceral leishmaniasis (VL), urinary tract infection (UTI) and tuberculosis. Autoimmune disorders were diagnosed in 24 (12.9%), Kawasaki disease in 12 (6.4%), malignant diseases in 12 (6.4%) and miscellaneous conditions in 15 (8.1%) patients. In the remaining 54 (30%) patients, diagnosis was not established and most of them had self-limited disease. During the investigation, 26 (14%) patients developed serious organ dysfunction and five patients (two with virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome, one with VL and two unknown) died.

Conclusion: The most important infectious causes of FUO in our study were EBV infection and VL. Kawasaki disease represented a significant cause of FUO at the beginning of our study because it was not recognized by primary-care physicians. We report myelodysplastic syndrome as another emerging cause of paediatric FUO. Repeated clinical examination and careful use of specific laboratory examinations, invasive diagnostic procedures or imaging are crucial in approaching paediatric FUO.     

Periodic Fever: A Review on Clinical,Management and Guideline for Iranian Patients - Part I

Periodic fever syndromes are a group of diseases characterized by episodes of fever with healthy intervals between febrile episodes. The first manifestation of these disorders are present in childhood and adolescence, but infrequently it may be presented in young and middle ages. Genetic base has been known for all types of periodic fever syndromes except periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA). Common periodic fever disorders are Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and PFAPA. In each patient with periodic fever, acquired infection with chronic and periodic nature should be ruled out. It depends on epidemiology of infectious diseases. Some of them such as Familial Mediterranean fever and PFAPA are common in Iran. In Iran and other Middle East countries, brucellosis, malaria and infectious mononucleosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of periodic fever disorders especially with fever and arthritis manifestation. In children, urinary tract infection may be presented as periodic disorder, urine analysis and culture is necessary in each child with periodic symptoms. Some malignancies such as leukemia and tumoral lesions should be excluded in patients with periodic syndrome and weight loss in any age. After excluding infection, malignancy and cyclic neutropenia, FMF and PFAPA are the most common periodic fever disorders. Similar to other countries, Hyper IgD, Chronic Infantile Neurologic Cutaneous and Articular, TRAPS and other auto-inflammatory syndromes are rare causes of periodic fever in Iranian system registry. In part 1 of this paper we reviewed the prevalence of FMF and PFAPA in Iran. In part 2, some uncommon auto-inflammatory disorders such as TRAPS, Hyper IgD sydrome and cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes will be reviewed.Key Words: Periodic Fever, Familial Mediterranean Fever, PFAPA, Hyper IgD, TRAPS     

The child with prolonged fever: when to think zebras

Everyone remembers the adage beloved of medical school professors ‘when you hear hooves, think horses not zebras’ (i.e. most presentations have a common cause) and usually it is good advice. Fever is a very common paediatric presentation and usually has an identifiable infectious aetiology. However, for the child with prolonged fever it is sometimes necessary to look beyond the usual suspects and consider the ‘zebra’ diagnoses. This article addresses when to consider rarer and potentially life-threatening infective, autoimmune or malignant causes of prolonged fever and their immediate management.     

先天性心脏病合并感染性心内膜炎的诊断及治疗

目的：由于先天性心脏病（简称先心病）合并感染性心内膜炎（IE）的临床表现因疾病所处阶段的不同而呈多样必,这给早期诊断带来一定的困难。探讨IE的早期诊断和治疗的方法。方法：回顾性总结近10年收治的52例先心病合并IE的临床资料，就其诊断、抗生素选择、手术指征及影响预后的因素等作一分析。结果：发热、进行性心功能不全、心脏杂音改变、皮肤瘀点斑是常见的临床症状；实验室检查常半数以上有贫血、血沉（ESR）和C－反应蛋白（CRP）升高。血培养阳性28例（54％），其中葡萄球菌和链球菌占82％，二维超声（2DE）检查发现螯生物34例（65％）；26例（50％）因瓣膜受累造成顽固性心力衰竭，神经系统症状和周围血管栓塞并发症；死亡14例（27％）；7例经抗生素联合治疗后接受外科手术，均获痊愈。结论：先心病患儿包括已经外科手术纠治者，如存在不明显原因持续1周以上的发热，无明显心外病灶时，应仔细检查心脏杂音的变化，观察末梢血管栓塞表现，并及时及连续做规范的血培养检查及2DE检查，以明确IE的诊断。     

The use of naproxen in the treatment of children with rheumatic fever

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of naproxen (10-20 mg/kg/d) for the treatment of arthritis and fever related to rheumatic fever in 19 children. Fever and arthritis resolved within a median of 1 day of beginning treatment (range, 1-2 and 1-30 days, respectively). The sole patient with prolonged arthritis had small joint involvement. No gastrointestinal, dermatologic, liver, or renal side effects were observed. None of the patients developed carditis over the following 6 months. Naproxen appears to be effective for the treatment of arthritis and fever related to rheumatic fever and is well tolerated.     

Fever without apparent source on clinical examination

This section focuses on issues in infectious disease that are commonly encountered in pediatric office practices. Dr. McCarthy discusses recent literature regarding the evaluation and management of acute fevers without apparent source on clinical examination in infants and children and the evaluation of children with prolonged fevers of unknown origin. Drs. Klig and Chen (pp 121-126) review recent literature about lower respiratory infection in children. This section focuses on febrile children in whom a source of fever is not readily apparent on clinical examination. This issue is discussed in several contexts: recent developments concerning the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, and therapy of febrile illnesses; children from 3 to 36 months of age with fever; infants younger than 90 days of age with fever; and children of any age with prolonged fever, usually lasting more than 7 to 10 days, for whom a diagnosis has not been established.     

Rheumatic diseases in adolescence

OBJECTIVE: To present an updated review concerning the most prevalent diseases with musculoskeletal signs and symptoms that make adolescents seek medical care, giving special emphasis to rheumatic diseases. Our aim is to offer physicians and health care providers the possibility of distinct differential diagnoses, thus allowing them to establish a therapeutic approach and, if necessary, refer the patient to a specialist METHODS: Review of literature using Medline database, data obtained at our department, and the author? personal experience. RESULTS: Musculoskeletal pain is characteristic of several diseases and usually urges adolescents to seek medical care. Rheumatic diseases, especially rheumatic fever, account for nearly fifty percent of the cases. In adolescents, it is also important that the aspects regarding the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic juvenile arthritis, arthritis associated with enthesitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vasculitis be considered. Fibromyalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, growing pains, hypermobility syndrome, and psychogenic rheumatism are noninflammatory conditions that frequently mimic rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions, and diseases of different etiology (infectious, neoplastic, and orthopedic) are frequently associated with musculoskeletal pain. It is important that health professionals diagnose these diseases as early as possible so that prompt action can be taken and prognosis can be improved.     

Adams-Stokes attack as the first symptom of acute rheumatic fever: report of an adolescent case and review of the literature

Background

Acquired complete heart block, in pediatric age is mainly the results of direct injury to conduction tissue during cardiac surgery or cardiac catheterisation. It can also be observed in different clinical settings as infectious diseases, neoplasia, and inflammatory diseases. It has a wide range of presentation and in some settings it can appear a dramatic event. Although a rare finding during acute rheumatic fever, with a transient course, it may need a specific and intensive treatment.

Case presentation

We report the case of an Adams-Stokes attack in an adolescent with acute rheumatic carditis and complete atrio-ventricular block. The attack was the first symptom of carditis.We reviewed the literature and could find 25 cases of complete atrio-ventricular block due to rheumatic fever. Ten of the 25 patients experienced an Adams-Stokes attack. Nineteen of the 25 patients were certainly in the pediatric age group. Seven of the 19 pediatric cases experienced an Adams-Stokes attack. In 16/25 cases, the duration of the atrio-ventricular block was reported: it lasted from a few minutes to ten days. Pacemaker implantation was necessary in 7 cases.

Conclusion

Rheumatic fever must be kept in mind in the diagnostic work-up of patients with acquired complete atrio-ventricular block, particularly when it occurs in pediatric patients. The insertion of a temporary pacemaker should be considered when complete atrio-ventricular block determines Adams-Stokes attacks. Complete heart block during acute rheumatic fever is rare and is usually transient. Along with endocarditis, myocarditis and pericarditis, complete atrio-ventricular block has been recognized, rarely, during the course of acute rheumatic carditis.

     

Fever of unknown origin—investigation and management

Fever of unknown origin is defined as fever with documented temperatures of >38.3°C on several occasions, persisting for more than 3 weeks, and uncertain diagnosis after intensive study for at least a week. Over 200 causes are described. The commonest are infections, collagen vascular disease and malignancy. The key to diagnosis is a complete history, which should be repeated if no diagnostic clues emerge from the initial assessment, and a careful physical examination. A limited number of baseline investigations should be performed. Thereafter, further investigations should be determined by diagnostic clues gleaned from the above. Apart from chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasound, imaging should not be performed routinely. The role of nuclear medicine techniques remains unclear. In children with recurrent fever, periodic fever syndromes should be considered. Although the diagnosis remains obscure in most FUOs, the prognosis for children who remain undiagnosed is good. The temptation to over-investigate should therefore be resisted.     

Disseminated cryptococcosis

Background

Fungal infections, especially in immunocompetent children are uncommon causes of fever of unknown origin.

Case characteristics

A 5-year-old boy with prolonged fever and no evidence of immunosuppression.

Observation

Ultrasound-guided retroperitoneal lymph node biopsy showed granulomas and intracytoplamic fungal yeasts; staining charactristics were suggestive of cryptococci. Clinical and radiological improvement was seen after treatment with amphoterecin-B.

Outcome

Disseminated fungal infection should be suspected as a cause of pyrexia of unknown origin after ruling out the commoner causes. Biopsy from enlarged lymph node or organomegaly may yield the diagnosis when non-invasive tests fail.