PERIARTERITIS nodosa has no typical course. It resembles various other diseases and is seldom proved during life. It is therefore an alternative to be considered in diagnosing many of the illnesses of childhood.1
Analyzing 42 cases of periarteritis nodosa in children (as found in the literature) Keith and Baggenstoss2 listed the following symptoms in order of frequency: fever, usually intermittent; leucocytosis; abdominal pains; rheumatic pains; renal disease; general weakness; convulsions; tachycardia; anemia; purpuric rash; other rashes, chiefly urticaria; hypertension; tonsillitis or sore throat; headaches; intestinal hemorrhage; peripheral gangrene; signs of meningeal irritation; palpable nodules.
The small number of cases recorded (less than 500 among adults, less than 60 among children) may be attributed partly to the rarity of the disease and partly to the difficulties of recognition. Even when diagnosis is established, death usually follows. No specific therapy is known.
In this disease of the