Maternal and paternal perceptions of child vulnerability in children with familial mediterranean fever: a...

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a chronic autoinflammatory disease that may affect not only children but also parental psychological well-being. This study aimed to evaluate parental perceptions of child vulnerability in children with FMF and to investigate factors associated with maternal and paternal vulnerability scores.

This cross-sectional study included 64 children aged 3-17 years with FMF who were followed in a pediatric rheumatology outpatient clinic and their parents. All patients were evaluated during attack-free periods. Parents completed the Child Vulnerability Scale (CVS). Demographic and clinical characteristics, including sex, age group, M694V mutation status, colchicine treatment, family history, and concomitant periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA), were recorded. Paired- and independent-sample t-tests, Pearson's correlation analysis, and categorical analyses were used as appropriate.

High maternal vulnerability scores (≥ 10) were present in 54.7% of mothers, while high paternal vulnerability scores were detected in 43.8% of fathers. Mean maternal CVS scores were significantly higher than paternal scores (10.83 ± 5.37 vs. 8.31 ± 4.60, p < 0.001). Maternal and paternal vulnerability scores demonstrated a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.393, p = 0.001). M694V mutation status and family history were not associated with parental vulnerability scores. Concomitant PFAPA was significantly associated with higher paternal vulnerability scores (11.55 ± 5.26 vs 7.64 ± 4.20, p = 0.009), whereas no significant association was found for maternal scores.

Parents of children, particularly mothers, frequently perceive their children as vulnerable. The positive correlation between maternal and paternal scores suggests shared psychosocial responses within the family environment. Assessment of parental vulnerability perceptions may contribute to family-centered care in pediatric FMF follow-up. Key Points • Mothers of children with FMF had higher vulnerability perception scores than fathers. • Coexisting PFAPA diagnosis was associated with higher paternal vulnerability scores. • M694V mutation and family history were not associated with parental vulnerability perception. • Psychosocial evaluation of parents may be important in the multidisciplinary follow-up of children with FMF.