A Child with Benign Acute Childhood Myositis After Influenza

Benign acute childhood myositis: an alarming condition with an excellent prognosis!

“…Most commonly occur after influenza B and occasionally influenza A infection, but parainfluenza, adenovirus, herpes simplex, Epstein-Barr, Coxsackie, rotavirus, and M pneumoniae have also been implicated [1][2][3][5][6][7][8][9][10], as found in our study. As evidenced, key elements in the diagnosis are a preceding upper respiratory infection followed by the acute onset of typical myositis clinical findings, predominantly affecting gastrocnemius-soleus muscles.…”

“…Benign acute childhood myositis is a rare disorder and continues to lead physicians into unnecessary workup when they are unfamiliar with its presentation [1][2][3][4][5]. Most commonly occur after influenza B and occasionally influenza A infection, but parainfluenza, adenovirus, herpes simplex, Epstein-Barr, Coxsackie, rotavirus, and M pneumoniae have also been implicated [1][2][3][5][6][7][8][9][10], as found in our study.…”

“…As evidenced, key elements in the diagnosis are a preceding upper respiratory infection followed by the acute onset of typical myositis clinical findings, predominantly affecting gastrocnemius-soleus muscles. Further clinical features include school-aged boys and late winter-early spring predominance, elevated CK, and aminotransferase levels (especially AST) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Transient hematological abnormalities (mild leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) are also seen [1,3,[8][9][10].…”

“…Transient hematological abnormalities (mild leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) are also seen [1,3,[8][9][10]. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP are usually normal but may be mildly elevated [1][2][3]5,6]. Patients with this typical clinical presentation can be treated as an outpatient [1,5].…”

“…If different etiologic agents were behind these episodes, it was not possible to assess. Treatment is supportive, and antivirals are unlikely to be beneficial [2][3][4][5]. The hallmark of BACM is its spontaneous and rapid clinical resolution within 1 week [1][2][3][4][5].…”