Mediterranean fever genes can cause fever

Familial Mediterranean fever: genes can trigger fever

23.11.2011

In infancy, children often suffer from fever. If this is still the case at primary school level and later, genetic disease can be the cause - familial Mediterranean fever. This disease occurs mainly in children of Arabic, Armenian, Greek, Turkish or Israeli origin.

How is Familial Mediterranean Fever different from other feverish diseases??
Experts believe that eight to twelve feverish diseases in infancy are normal. If frequent fever episodes occur even at primary school age and later over one to three days with temperatures above 38.5 degrees Celsius, a hereditary condition could be the trigger. Ulrich Fegeler from the Professional Association of Pediatricians in Cologne advises: „ Watching parents repeated fever episodes, they should tell their pediatrician about it.“ Fegeler continues: "It is best to make a fever calendar by recording the periods and symptoms associated with the fever." In children, such fever episodes can be Familial Mediterranean Fever. However, this usually occurs only in children, Arab, Turkish, Greek, Armenian or Israeli origin.

Symptoms of Familial Mediterranean Fever
Symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever include relapses of high fever and sometimes severe pain caused by inflammation of the peritoneum, pleura and inner lining of the joint capsule. The cause of Familial Mediterranean Fever is a malfunction of the immune system that causes the body to respond to infections for no apparent reason. These do not occur at specific time intervals. It can even be years between bouts.

People suffering from familial Mediterranean fever are at an increased risk of dying. This is mainly due to a possible amyloidosis, the main complication in addition to renal insufficiency. During an acute push, there is a lot of amyloid in the blood of the patient, which can deposit in the organs and cause severe damage. (Ag)

Image: Maria Lanznaster