Benign Acute Childhood Myositis: A Three-Year Experience From a Pediatric Department in Poland

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology

Background:

• Benign acute childhood myositis (BACM) presents as sudden bilateral lower limb pain and gait issues post-viral illness.
• Often associated with influenza, other pathogens can also trigger BACM.
• BACM primarily affects children during colder months and is characterized by transient muscle enzyme elevation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical and laboratory features of children diagnosed with BACM.
• To compare findings with international data to identify similarities and differences.
• To aid in distinguishing BACM from more severe conditions like rhabdomyolysis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients hospitalized with BACM.
• Data collected from April 2022 to April 2025 at the Clinical Department of Pediatrics in Bytom, Poland.
• Comparison of clinical and laboratory findings with international medical databases.

Main Results:

• The study identified typical clinical presentations and laboratory findings consistent with BACM.
• Analysis revealed similarities with previously published literature on BACM.
• Key features included muscle pain, gait disturbance, and elevated creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).

Conclusions:

• BACM is a benign, self-limiting condition with an excellent prognosis, requiring supportive care.
• Distinguishing BACM from rhabdomyolysis remains a clinical challenge.
• The study's findings align with existing knowledge, reinforcing the understanding of BACM's characteristics.