Resumen

CASTRO H, Mario; ARREDONDO A., Marcela Paz  y  TALESNIK G, Eduardo. Periodic fever, aphtous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA). Rev. chil. pediatr. [online]. 2003, vol.74, n.3, pp.294-298. ISSN 0370-4106.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0370-41062003000300007.

PFAPA is a chronic sporadic syndrome characterised by periodic episodes of high fever lasting 3 to 6 days and recurring every 3 to 8 weeks, accompanied usually by aphtous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis. The patients are healthy between episodes. We report 2 cases, one child of 1 year 8 months and the other of 6 years with the usual symptoms of PFAPA. The clinical onset was at 8 months and 1 year respectively, both received several courses of antibiotics without a clinical response before the diagnosis of PFAPA was made. After diagnosis 1 patient was treated with prednisone with a rapid resolution of the fever, the other with paracetamol and ibuprofen with slow resolution of the symptoms. Both patients remained asymptomatic between episodes. Increased awareness of the clinical syndrome would result in its earlier diagnosis and adequate treatment

Palabras clave : periodic fever in children; PFAPA syndrome.