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Published on: September 20, 2018

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in children: clinical features and disease course

Tai-Ju Wang1, Yao-Hsu Yang, Yu-Tsan Lin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection = Wei Mian Yu Gan Ran Za Zhi
|September 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) in children often presents with posterior cervical lymphadenitis and leukopenia. Pediatric KFD patients have a high risk of developing autoimmune syndromes, necessitating long-term monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare condition causing cervical lymphadenitis, predominantly in Asian women, but also seen in children.
  • Understanding KFD's pediatric presentation and long-term outcomes is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical manifestations and disease course of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in pediatric patients.
  • To identify factors associated with a complicated disease course and the risk of developing autoimmune conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review and telephone interviews were conducted.
  • Data were collected from 13 pediatric patients diagnosed with KFD between January 1988 and January 2003.

Main Results:

  • Posterior cervical lymph node involvement occurred in 12 patients; leukopenia was observed in 9.
  • All patients presented with C-reactive protein levels below 5 mg/dL.
  • A high antinuclear antibody titer correlated with a more protracted and complicated KFD course.
  • Five patients developed new symptoms suggestive of autoimmune processes, most commonly neurological symptoms, during follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric KFD carries a significant risk of evolving into an autoimmune syndrome.
  • Close, long-term observation is mandatory for pediatric KFD patients to monitor for autoimmune complications.

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