A unique presentation of benign acute childhood myositis in a child withinfluenza B.

Abstract

Benign Acute Childhood Myositis (BACM) is a syndrome of a self-limiting muscle disorder characterized by bilateral calf pain and difficulty in walking with an isolated finding of elevated serum Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) and leukopenia preceded by influenza like illness. The symptoms of BACM tend to disappear within a week. The syndrome has classical clinical and laboratory features that may allow for a correct diagnosis. Herein we describe BACM in an 11-year old boy with recurrent tonsillitis associated with vague muscle aches and discovered to have vitamin D deficiency with hypocalcemia. He had unique features that include persistence of symptoms beyond a week, recurrent episodes per year, and a concurrent similar case in the family. Awareness of the symptom complex is important for early diagnosis and avoidance of unnecessary investigations and treatment.