Chronic Fatigue Syndrome After Infectious Mononucleosis in Adolescents

Abstract

Background-Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex and controversial condition responsible for marked functional impairment. Infectious mononucleosis (IM) may be a predisposing factor for CFS. Among adults after IM, 9-12% may have symptomatic fatigue 6 months later. Rates of CFS in the general adolescent population are low (0.2%).

The epidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis in children

“…EBV is the most well-known virus to cause CFS/ME with rates of 13%, 7% and 4% at 6, 12 and 24 months after infection 27. The risk of developing CFS/ME after EBV is increased in adolescents who are female 27. The severity of infection is an important predictor of CFS/ME rather than a specific infection 28.…”

Factors Affecting Duration of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Pediatric Patients

“…While the role of infectious agents in the development of CFS has not been proven [5,9,10], CFS is frequently reported in adolescents following Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection [2,11]. This relationship was further outlined by Katz et al [12] who demonstrated that the incidence of CFS after infectious mononucleosis persisted in 13%, 7% and 4% of children at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Similarly, Marshall et al reported a 15% prevalence of EBV in pediatric CFS cases [13].…”

Disease Mechanisms and Clonidine Treatment in Adolescent Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

“…22,23 Sustained arousal might be caused by infections, 24 which seem to be precipitating factors in CFS. 25,26 However, the precise role of microorganisms in CFS remains unclear. Clonidine hydrochloride is a centrally acting agonist to the α 2 -adrenergic receptor.…”