ABSTRACT
Fevers in children are mainly due to infection, malignancy or inflammatory conditions. Rheumatologists have an important role in the care of inflammatory conditions, many of which are associated with fevers. Seven conditions, the hereditary recurrent fever syndromes, have been defined with the presenting symptom of recurring fever, and for which mutation of a single gene has been defined: Chronic infantile neurological articular syndrome (CINCA), Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FACS), Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), hyperimmunoglobulinemia D (HIDS), Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS), Pyogenic sterile arthritis and Pyoderma gangrenosum (PAPA) and Tumour necrosis factor receptorassociated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) . These conditions will be discussed in detail in regard to how they fit into the wider picture of pediatric rheumatological conditions, how the diagnoses may be established and the current recommended treatments for each condition.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Rheumatology is a relatively new specialty in the field of Pediatrics in India where there are only a few centres of excellence. Awareness about these conditions in childhood is lacking and patients are often referred late resulting in poor long term outcomes. This article highlights the needs of the paediatric rheumatology patients which are complex and should encompass both acute and chronic care and also plan a smooth transition to the adult rheumatology world. In the year 2010, attaining remission is the goal for every child with a rheumatologic disorder, which is seldom achieved for the Indian pediatric rheumatologic patient. The article discusses the reasons for poor awareness, the current outcome for these patients and details the burden of disease in India. The health care delivery system and finally the way forward have been discussed.