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Benign acute childhood myositis
Fatma Müjgan Sonmez1, Murat Cakir, Seker Yayla
1Department of Child Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, TR-61080 Trabzon, Turkey. fmaynacif@dr.com
Insights
Benign acute childhood myositis is a self-limiting condition in children, characterized by elevated muscle enzymes and rapid recovery. Awareness is key for pediatricians to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary tests.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Rheumatology
Background:
- Benign acute childhood myositis (BACM) is an inflammatory condition affecting children.
- It presents with acute onset of muscle pain and difficulty walking.
- Prompt diagnosis is essential to prevent unnecessary investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings of benign acute childhood myositis.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing BACM for appropriate pediatric care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of six pediatric patients diagnosed with BACM.
- Evaluation of clinical presentations and laboratory findings, including serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.
- Viral studies were conducted.
Main Results:
- All patients exhibited elevated serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.
- Two patients presented with leucopenia.
- Viral studies were negative in all cases.
- Full recovery was observed within 12 hours to 3 days for all patients.
Conclusions:
- Benign acute childhood myositis is a self-limiting illness with a favorable prognosis.
- Pediatricians and neurologists should be aware of BACM to differentiate it from other causes of gait disturbance.
- The condition often occurs in winter epidemics, suggesting a potential viral etiology.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings of benign acute childhood myositis.
Subjects And Methods:
Six children, 1 girl and 5 boys, aged 3-9 years, were admitted to Karadeniz Technical University Paediatric Neurology Department in Trabzon, Turkey, with the diagnosis of benign acute childhood myositis in January and February 2002. The clinical and laboratory findings on the patients were analysed.
Results:
Serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were increased in all cases. Two patients had leucopenia. Viral studies were negative. All the patients had a good outcome, and full recovery was achieved within 12 h to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Benign acute childhood myositis is a self-limiting disease with a good prognosis. Pediatricians and pediatric neurologists must be aware of this condition to avoid unnecessary investigations and to differentiate this condition from other causes of acute onset of inability to walk. It may occur in epidemics mainly in the wintertime, suggesting a viral aetiology.
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