PFAPA
Pronunciation: P-F-A-P-A
Also written as: PFAPA — Periodic Fever, Aphthous stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis
Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis - a pediatric autoinflammatory syndrome.
Full Definition
PFAPA syndrome is a periodic fever syndrome affecting children, characterized by recurrent episodes of fever accompanied by aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers), pharyngitis (throat inflammation), and cervical adenitis (lymph node enlargement). Episodes typically last 3-7 days and occur every 4-8 weeks with complete wellness between attacks. The syndrome usually begins before age 5 and often resolves spontaneously by adolescence. In pediatric pathology contexts, PFAPA is diagnosed clinically as there are no specific laboratory markers or histological findings. Tonsillectomy may be curative in some cases, and pathological examination of removed tonsils typically shows chronic inflammation.
Usage
Usage note: Always written in capitals. Spell out full form on first use in clinical documents.
In Context
- "The patient's clinical presentation was consistent with PFAPA syndrome given the periodic nature and associated symptoms." — Clinical documentation
- "Tonsillectomy specimens from PFAPA patients typically demonstrate chronic lymphoid hyperplasia." — Pathology review