RT Book, Section
A1 Leslie, David S.
A2 Rudolph, Colin D.
A2 Rudolph, Abraham M.
A2 Lister, George E.
A2 First, Lewis R.
A2 Gershon, Anne A.
SR Print(0)
ID 7019955
T1 Chapter 208. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e
YR 2011
FD 2011
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-149723-7
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7019955
RD 2022/05/28
AB Generalized  fatigue  is  a  frequent  complaint  during  many  common  pediatric  infectious  illnesses.  Additionally,  chronic  diseases  of  childhood  often  are  characterized  by  associated  fatigue.  The  symptoms  experienced  by  children  with  these  conditions  typically  resolve  with  treatment  of  the  acute  illness  or  of  the  underlying  chronic  disease.  In  contrast,  chronic  fatigue  syndrome  (CFS)  is  distinguished  by  prolonged  fatigue  and  associated  constitutional  symptoms  that  persist  after  improvement  in  the  triggering  disorder.  CFS  may  be  a  debilitating  illness  that  significantly  impacts  activities  of  daily  living  and  family  dynamics.  A  systematic  approach  directed  at  first  ruling  out  identifiable  causes  of  profound  fatigue  and  associated  symptoms  is  essential  before  arriving  at  the  diagnosis  of  CFS.  Through  a  careful  history  and  physical  exam,  and  narrowly  focused  laboratory  testing  based  on  clinical  presentation,  underlying  diseases  responsible  for  fatigue  may  be  eliminated.  Attention  then  switches  to  maximizing  the  ability  to  function  and  initiating  an  appropriate  treatment  plan.  Although  the  specific  cause  of  this  illness  remains  to  be  elucidated  and  appropriate  treatment  strategies  continue  to  be  controversial,  a  multidisciplinary,  holistic,  symptom-based  approach  can  provide  the  best  tools  for  managing  CFS  and  achieving  full  recovery.