Benign childhood acute myositis: clinical and laboratory findings of 15 cases

Abstract

Aim: In this study; clinical and laboratory findings of 15 cases with benign childhood acute myositis are presented to look over pathognomonic findings of the disease. Material and Method: Fifteen typical cases with benign childhood acute myositis referred to our Pediatric Neurology Clinic because of inability to walk, from 15th of January to 15th of March 2011, were enrolled into this study. Eighty percent of cases were male and their mean age was 6.3 years. Guillian-Barre's syndrome was the most common initial diagnosis (47% of the cases). Results: Prodromal period lasted 2-10 days and common symptoms were sore throat, fever and cough. When they were referred to our clinic, the patients complained of pain in both calves and inability to walk. In three days period; the symptoms resolved fast and spontaneously. Leucopenia at 87%, thrombocytopenia at 47%, mildly high alanine transaminase at 87% of the patients were detected. Serum creatinin kinase level ranged from 580 to 8250 U/L and it regressed to normal level within one week. Conclusions: In the patients of whom clinical and laboratory findings are suggestive of benign childhood acute myositis, it is important to think early diagnosis, which prevents unnecessary laboratory evaluations and therapeutic approaches. (Turk Arch Ped 2012; 47: 52-5)