Reiter's syndrome in childhood

Seven boys with Reiter's syndrome are described. Three had diarrhea and 2 had venereal contact as antecedent events. All developed the complete triad of symptoms in a 5- to 24-day period. Joint involvement of the lower extremities was seen in each boy. HLA-B27 typing was positive in 6 of 7 (86%). Serum and synovial fluid levels of CH50 and C3 were elevated in 5 boys and confirm similar findings in adults. Two boys recovered spontaneously without therapy and 3 boys received aspirin with a rapid and complete resolution of symptoms. The two oldest boys had the most severe joint involvement and were receiving phenylbutazone with continuing active arthritis when they were lost to followup. Reiter's syndrome in children may be infrequently reported because its antecedents and the triad symptoms are common occurrences in pediatric practice.