PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthae, pharyngitis and cervical adenopathy) or Marshall syndrome is a cause included in recurrent or periodic fever conditions in pediatrics.
It is a chronic disease of unknown etiology. Although it probably does not have a genetic cause, it is usually grouped together with the hereditary syndromes of periodic fever. The syndrome usually begins between the ages of 2 and 5 years and tends to be more frequent among boys.
With an approximate frequency of once a month, the child has an episode of fever that lasts between 3 and 6 days. The syndrome produces fatigue, chills and, in some cases, abdominal pain and headache, as well as fever, sore throat, thrush and swollen lymph nodes. The child is healthy in between successive episodes and their growth is normal.
Diagnosis is based on medical questioning and physical examination. Blood tests are performed to measure the concentration of substances that indicate inflammation (markers).
No treatment is required, but administration of corticosteroids may relieve the child's symptoms.
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