Fibromyalgia eMedicine Pediatrics

Description: Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) is a musculoskeletal pain syndrome characterized by multiple discrete tender points (TPs), fatigue, and sleep disturbance in the child and adolescent. JPFS can be chronic in nature and can require a multidisciplinary approach to the ongoing treatment of the disorder. The pain experienced is modulated by factors such as activity, anxiety, stress, and weather changes. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the presence or absence of specific criteria that have been found to be consistent with those who experience JPFS. The chronic nature of fibromyalgia in the pediatric population suggests consequences on psychosocial development and implications of a more difficult transition from childhood to adulthood.
Angelo P Giardino, MD, PhD, Eileen R Giardino, PhD, RN, Gregory F Keenan, MD Updated: Dec 10, 2008