Neurological Manifestations in Familial Mediterranean Fever: Results of 22 Children from a Reference Center in Kayseri, an Urban Area in Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

<b>Background</b> Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited inflammatory disorder characterized by attacks of fever with polyserositis. <b>Objective</b> The purpose of this study was to evaluate pediatric patients with FMF who had central nervous system (CNS) findings. <b>Materials and Methods</b> Our medical records database for 2003 to 2014 was screened retrospectively. In total, 104 patients with FMF were identified, 22 of whom had undergone neurological examination for CNS symptoms. <b>Results</b> Neurological findings included headache in 16 patients (72.7%), epilepsy in 6 patients (27.3%), pseudotumor cerebri in 2 patients (9.1%), tremor in 2 patients (9.1%), and multiple sclerosis in 1 patient (4.5%). The most common <i>MEFV</i> gene mutation was homozygous M694V (40.9%). <b>Conclusions</b> Patients with FMF can present with various CNS manifestations. Further studies that include large populations are needed to elucidate the neurological manifestations of FMF.