The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics 2012 , Vol 54 , Num 6
Fever of Unknown Origin in Children: The Experience of One Center in Turkey
Departments of Pediatrics, 1Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, and 2Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: hasantezer@yahoo.com Knowledge about the etiology of fever of unknown origin (FUO) has been changed under the influence of new advances in diagnostic techniques in both adulthood and childhood. Seventy-seven patients with the diagnosis of FUO were evaluated retrospectively. Forty-six (60%) of the patients were male and 31 (40%) were female, with ages ranging from 4 months to 16 years (mean: 4.5 years). Physical findings were absolutely normal in 33 (42.9%) patients, and the most common findings were hepatosplenomegaly (15.5%) and lymphadenopathy (15.5%). The etiologies were determined in 69 patients with FUO. The most common diagnoses were infectious diseases (50.7%), malignancy (14.4%), collagen vascular disorders (7.2%), and miscellaneous conditions (27.5%). With the development of diagnostic tools, the etiologies in a considerable number of patients with FUO were diagnosed. A detailed history and physical examination are required for accurate diagnosis, and if indicated, invasive procedures should be instituted. Keywords : fever of unknown origin, children.
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