RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS IN CHILDHOOD - REPORT OF 1ST PEDIATRIC ITALIAN PATIENT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare systemic disease, probably autoimmune, characterized by recurrent inflammation and destruction of cartilage. It occurs at all ages, but only 15 pediatrics cases are reported in the literature. A case of RP observed in a 12 years old boy prompted us to look for again the peculiar manifestation of disease in children. An early diagnosis is difficult in childhood because often many months elapse before the characteristic features of disease develop. Appropriate diagnosis and aggressive therapy are recommended to lessen the morbidity and mortality.