Hereditary periodic fevers in children

Abstract

Fevers in children is a pressing challenge in paediatrics, as they are one of the most common symptoms people seek medical help. Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) constitute a group of diseases, where fever is one of the main symptoms, and fever attacks have a certain frequency and duration. Autoinflammatory diseases are rooted in the systemic aseptic inflammation associated with activation of the innate immune system, without elevated levels of autoantibodies. The most common autoinflammatory diseases include hereditary periodic fevers, among which are familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), HIDS/MKD, CAPS-, TRAPS-syndromes and rarer diseases (deficiency of natural interleukin receptor antagonists). The pathogenesis of this group of diseases is based on the process of accelerated formation of a supramolecular protein complex (inflammasome), which subsequently leads to the transition of the inactive form of IL1β into its active form. The clinical presentations of these diseases may be similar and include episodes of fever, abdominal pain, arthralgia, various rashes, etc., as well as an increase in acute phase parameters. These diseases are characterized by symptoms at certain intervals; they usually have intervals without showing any symptoms. Familial Mediterranean fever is characterized by a certain ethnic background (Armenians, Turks, Arabs, Jews). Today, molecular genetic testing is the most accurate method for diagnosing familial Mediterranean fever. Current therapy aims to prevent attacks of the disease, but it is also important to use symptomatic therapy to relieve the child’s condition when an attack has already developed. Modern treatment strategies include both drugs that have long been used in paediatric practice (colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), glucocorticosteroids) and novel genetically engineered biological drugs (interleukin antagonists and tumour necrosis factor inhibitors, etc.).