Fever of Unknown Origin in Childhood

Childhood fever of unknown origin (FUO) is most often related to an underlying infection but can also be associated with a variety of neoplastic, rheumatologic, and inflammatory conditions. Repeated, focused reviews of patient history and physical examination are often helpful in suggesting a likely diagnosis. Diagnostic workup should be staged, usually leaving invasive testing for last. Advances in molecular genetic techniques have increased the importance of these assays in the diagnosis of FUO in children.

Key points

  • Evaluation of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in children requires documentation of fever in the medical setting and repetitive reassessment of history and physical evaluation.

  • Most childhood FUOs have an infectious cause, but in some cases, underlying neoplastic, rheumatologic, or inflammatory conditions are diagnosed.

  • Diagnostic evaluation of childhood FUO should be performed in a staged manner, leaving expensive imaging and invasive procedures for last.

  • Molecular genetic techniques are playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of childhood FUO.

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Oct 2, 2017 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Fever of Unknown Origin in Childhood

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