Fevers occur when the body raises its core temperature greater than 110.4 Fahrenheit. This can be caused by several factors including infections, immune responses and even overdressing. In some toddlers, however, fever occurs frequently and is therefore called recurring. These fevers can occur sporadically as your child is exposed to various infectious agents or they can occur very frequently, almost as if on schedule. Frequent fever is usually caused by underlying conditions, several of which are genetic.
PFAPA
Periodic fever, apthous ulcers, pharyngitis and adentitis -- commonly referred to as PFAPA -- is a syndrome that involves recurrent fevers, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes and mouth sores in children. Fevers occur on a regular, almost predictable basis, every three to six weeks. The fever can last several days and children generally return to normal when the fever has passed. Treatment ranges from no intervention to use of corticosteroids. New research performed at the National Institutes of Health in 2011 indicates the condition is an immune system disorder and new treatments targeting the immune system are under investigation
Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures are convulsions that occur when your toddler has a fever. The fever is typically caused by an underlying infection. The child may lose consciousness and shake or become rigid and twitch. This occurs in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Approximately one-third of children who experience a febrile seizure will have additional febrile seizure before outgrowing them, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Children most likely to have recurring febrile seizures are those who had their first febrile seizure at younger than 15 months and those with family histories of febrile seizures. The vast majority of febrile seizures are harmless, but you should still bring your child to see the physician after such a seizure.
Viral Illness
Children with frequent fevers are commonly suffering from viral infections. As they grow and experience the world, they encounter various viral pathogens that their immune system must learn to fight. These infections are often upper respiratory infections and the fevers are not considered problematic or signs of underlying conditions.
Genetic Cuases
Several genetic conditions cause recurring fevers in toddlers. Familial Mediterranean fever is characterized by recurrent fever accompanied by abdominal, chest and joint pain with swelling. It is caused by a defect in the protein pyrin, which helps control inflammation; it is treated with colchicine. Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D periodic fever syndrome is an extremely rare condition caused by a defect in the protein mevalonic kinase. It is unknown why this defect causes fever and there is no known treatment or cure. TNF-receptor associated periodic fever is caused by an overreaction of proteins that typically cause inflammation. There is no known treatment or cure, although certain medications have shown potential in clinical trials.
References
- National Institutes of Health; NIH Researchers Identify Cause and New Treatment for Common Recurrent Fever in Children; April 2011
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Febrile Seizures Fact Sheet; Septmeber 2011
- Children's Memorial Hospital; Periodic Fevers; April 2009
- KidsHealth; Fever and Taking Your Child's Temperature
- Cleveland Clinic: Periodic Fever Syndrome;
