E-ISSN 1858-8360 | ISSN 0256-4408
 

Original Article 


Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India

Suma Balan, Mahesh Janarthanan.

Online Publishing Date: 30 / 05 / 2022


Abstract
Children with malignancies can present with varied symptoms mimicking rheumatological or orthopaedic conditions. Symptoms such as fever, myalgia, arthralgia and arthritis usually suggest an underlying musculoskeletal condition. However, malignancies in children can also present with such symptoms. The objective of this study was to analyse the clinical and laboratory features of children with malignancies presenting with arthritic manifestations to the paediatric rheumatology clinic and to raise awareness of this presentations among practising physicians. A retrospective case review was done in 53 patients who presented to 2 paediatric rheumatology units in two tertiary care hospitals in South India. These children presented with musculoskeletal symptoms and had a final diagnosis of malignancy. The median age was 6.1 years with a range from 1-15 years and male: female ratio of 1.12:1. The most common presentation was bone pain (75%) followed by fever (53%), polyarthralgia (51%), refusal to bear weight in lower limbs (40%), night pain (40%) and joint swelling (15%). Anaemia with Hb < 8 g/dl was observed in 26% patients, white cell count (WCC) < 4000 cells/mm3 in 17% , WCC>12000 cells/ mm 3 in 15%, platelets <150,000/ ml in 43% , and erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 20 mm/hr in 77%.The peripheral smear was positive for malignancy in only 40% of patients. Before referral to tertiary units 34% were already treated with steroids with a suspected diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Treatment with steroids could mask the symptoms of malignancy and could lead to a delay in diagnosis and a poor outcome.

Key words: arthritic manifestations, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, malignancies, steroid treatment


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Balan S, Janarthanan M. Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India. Sudan J Paed. 2022; 22(1): 47-53. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748


Web Style

Balan S, Janarthanan M. Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India. https://sudanjp.com//?mno=98593 [Access: February 07, 2024]. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Balan S, Janarthanan M. Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India. Sudan J Paed. 2022; 22(1): 47-53. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Balan S, Janarthanan M. Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India. Sudan J Paed. (2022), [cited February 07, 2024]; 22(1): 47-53. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748



Harvard Style

Balan, S. & Janarthanan, . M. (2022) Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India. Sudan J Paed, 22 (1), 47-53. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748



Turabian Style

Balan, Suma, and Mahesh Janarthanan. 2022. Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India. Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics, 22 (1), 47-53. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748



Chicago Style

Balan, Suma, and Mahesh Janarthanan. "Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India." Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics 22 (2022), 47-53. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Balan, Suma, and Mahesh Janarthanan. "Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India." Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics 22.1 (2022), 47-53. Print. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Balan, S. & Janarthanan, . M. (2022) Arthritic presentation of malignancies in children- A retrospective study from 2 centres in South India. Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics, 22 (1), 47-53. doi:10.24911/SJP.106-1626506748





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