Overview
Periodic fever syndrome of childhood is a broad term used to describe a group of conditions in which children experience repeated episodes of fever that come and go in a somewhat regular pattern. These fevers are not caused by infections, allergies, or cancer, but rather by problems with the body's own immune system — specifically the part called the innate immune system. Because of this, these conditions are also known as autoinflammatory diseases. The fevers often start in early childhood and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as mouth sores, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, abdominal pain, skin rashes, and general feelings of being unwell. Between episodes, children usually feel completely healthy. This category includes several specific conditions such as PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis), familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome (HIDS), and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). Some children may not fit neatly into one specific diagnosis and may be classified under this broader umbrella term. The treatment approach depends on the specific underlying condition but may include anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, or targeted biologic therapies such as IL-1 inhibitors. Many children with periodic fever syndromes have a good long-term outlook, especially when the condition is properly identified and managed.
Key symptoms:
Recurring fevers that come and go in a patternMouth sores or ulcersSore throatSwollen lymph nodes in the neckAbdominal painJoint pain or swellingSkin rashesHeadachesFatigue and feeling unwell during episodesChest painNausea or vomitingMuscle achesEye redness or pain
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Childhood
Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventData sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Periodic fever syndrome of childhood.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Periodic fever syndrome of childhood.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Periodic fever syndrome of childhood.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
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Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which specific type of periodic fever syndrome does my child have, and how was this determined?,Should my child have genetic testing, and if so, which genes should be tested?,What treatment options are available, and what are the potential side effects?,How can we tell the difference between a periodic fever episode and a real infection?,Is my child at risk for long-term complications like amyloidosis, and how do we monitor for this?,Will my child outgrow this condition, or is it lifelong?,Should other family members be tested for this condition?
Common questions about Periodic fever syndrome of childhood
What is Periodic fever syndrome of childhood?
Periodic fever syndrome of childhood is a broad term used to describe a group of conditions in which children experience repeated episodes of fever that come and go in a somewhat regular pattern. These fevers are not caused by infections, allergies, or cancer, but rather by problems with the body's own immune system — specifically the part called the innate immune system. Because of this, these conditions are also known as autoinflammatory diseases. The fevers often start in early childhood and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as mouth sores, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, joint pa
At what age does Periodic fever syndrome of childhood typically begin?
Typical onset of Periodic fever syndrome of childhood is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Periodic fever syndrome of childhood?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Periodic fever syndrome of childhood on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.