Periodic Peritonitis

Periodic peritonitis, associated with the so-called familial Mediterranean fever, is a hereditary disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation that frequently involve the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the interior of the abdomen.

Frequent symptoms: repeated flare-ups of intense abdominal pain accompanied by fever, which last for a limited time and then subside, sometimes with chest or joint pain.

Common causes: it responds to a genetic variant that causes an exaggerated inflammatory response; it is usually observed in people with a family history.

When to see a doctor? When there are repeated episodes of abdominal pain and fever without a clear cause. In childhood, the pediatrician begins the evaluation and may rely on the rheumatologist or the geneticist. When faced with this recurrent pattern, it is advisable to seek care for an orderly study.