NEPHROPATHIA-EPIDEMICA (HEMORRHAGIC-FEVER WITH RENAL SYNDROME) IN CHILDREN - CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The clinical characteristics of serologically verified nephropathia ep idemica, the Scandinavian form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrom e, were studied in Swedish children who were <15 years of age. In 1990 to 1992, 14 cases were prospectively followed. A retrospective survey during 1984 to 1990 disclosed another 18 cases. Among the 32 cases (2 0 boys, 12 girls, 3 to 15 years of age; median age, 11 years), the mos t common symptoms were fever (100%), headache (100%), abdominal pain ( 93%), vomiting (91%) and back pain (76%). Laboratory findings included elevated serum creatinine concentration (19 of 28) and thrombocytopen ia (7 of 22). Urinalysis showed proteinuria (31 of 31 patients) and he maturia (24 of 30). Six children had mild hemorrhagic manifestations ( epistaxis, metrorrhagia, and petechiae). No severe complications occur red. The clinical symptoms of children with nephropathia epidemica see m to be similar to those found among adult nephropathia epidemica case s.