Abstract
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a disease of unknown etiology and it is characterized by inflammation of the cartilage. While the clinical picture of RP in adults is well described, RP in childhood is poorly documented. We describe a young girl presenting with acute dyspnea, stridor and polyarthritis. The diagnosis of RP was made 2 years after first presentation, when auricular chondritis occurred. Based on a MEDLINE search, reports on RP in childhood were reviewed. The frequency of chondritis and systemic manifestations of RP in children was compared to data in adults and found to be very similar. RP in childhood can be a life-threatening and debilitating disease.
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Received: 18 March 2000 / Accepted: 16 June 2000
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Knipp, S., Bier, H., Horneff, G. et al. Relapsing polychondritis in childhood – case report and short review. Rheumatology International 19, 231–234 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002960000055
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002960000055
- AbbreviationsANA Antinuclear antibodies
- RP relapsing polychondritis
- HLA human leukocyte antigen
- ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
- ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay
- MRI magnet resonance imaging
- MTX methotrexate
- CT computed axial tomography
- NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- CRP C-reactive protein
- ENA extractable nuclear antigen
- ANCA antinuclear cytoplasmic antibody