The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A Commentary
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic illness that causes a range of debilitating symptoms. While most research has focused on adults, the illness also presents in children and adolescents. Many physicians find it difficult to diagnose the illness. In this commenta...
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doaj-ae6a261731f74f37bfc331f69c1dcda22020-11-25T01:52:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602019-01-01610.3389/fped.2018.00435430837The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A CommentaryKeith James GeraghtyCharles AdenijiMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic illness that causes a range of debilitating symptoms. While most research has focused on adults, the illness also presents in children and adolescents. Many physicians find it difficult to diagnose the illness. In this commentary paper, we discuss a range of salient themes that have emerged from our ongoing research into the prevalence of ME/CFS in children and adolescents. We discuss reasons why pediatric prevalence estimates vary widely in the literature, from almost 0% to as high as 3%. We argue that there is considerable misdiagnosis of pediatric cases and over-inflation of estimates of pediatric ME/CFS. Many children and teenagers with general fatigue and other medical complaints may meet loose diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. We make recommendations for improving epidemiological research and identifying pediatric ME/CFS in clinical practice.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fped.2018.00435/fullchronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)myalgic encephalomyelitisdiagnosisprevalencepediatric case |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Keith James Geraghty Charles Adeniji |
spellingShingle |
Keith James Geraghty Charles Adeniji The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A Commentary Frontiers in Pediatrics chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) myalgic encephalomyelitis diagnosis prevalence pediatric case |
author_facet |
Keith James Geraghty Charles Adeniji |
author_sort |
Keith James Geraghty |
title |
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A Commentary |
title_short |
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A Commentary |
title_full |
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A Commentary |
title_fullStr |
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A Commentary |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis of ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents: A Commentary |
title_sort |
importance of accurate diagnosis of me/cfs in children and adolescents: a commentary |
publisher |
Frontiers Media S.A. |
series |
Frontiers in Pediatrics |
issn |
2296-2360 |
publishDate |
2019-01-01 |
description |
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic illness that causes a range of debilitating symptoms. While most research has focused on adults, the illness also presents in children and adolescents. Many physicians find it difficult to diagnose the illness. In this commentary paper, we discuss a range of salient themes that have emerged from our ongoing research into the prevalence of ME/CFS in children and adolescents. We discuss reasons why pediatric prevalence estimates vary widely in the literature, from almost 0% to as high as 3%. We argue that there is considerable misdiagnosis of pediatric cases and over-inflation of estimates of pediatric ME/CFS. Many children and teenagers with general fatigue and other medical complaints may meet loose diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. We make recommendations for improving epidemiological research and identifying pediatric ME/CFS in clinical practice. |
topic |
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) myalgic encephalomyelitis diagnosis prevalence pediatric case |
url |
https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fped.2018.00435/full |
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