PFAPA syndrome
Also written as: PFAPA — Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis
Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis - a recurrent fever syndrome in children.
Full Definition
An autoinflammatory condition characterized by episodes of high fever lasting 3-6 days, recurring every 3-8 weeks, accompanied by aphthous ulcers, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis. PFAPA syndrome typically affects children under 5 years and represents the most common periodic fever syndrome in pediatrics. Medical editors must distinguish this specific syndrome from other recurrent fever patterns and ensure proper capitalization of the acronym in clinical documentation. The condition is diagnosis of exclusion requiring careful documentation of episodic patterns.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize as PFAPA; spell out the full name on first use in documents.
In Context
- "The diagnosis of PFAPA syndrome was confirmed after documenting three characteristic episodes over six months." — Pediatric rheumatology report
- "PFAPA syndrome should be considered in children with predictable fever episodes and associated oral and pharyngeal findings." — Clinical review article