Amyloidosis in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

In this survey 113 children with secondary amyloidosis due to familial Mediterranean fever are reviewed in regard to their respective histories, and physical and laboratory findings. The beneficial effects of colchicine in the treatment of this condition are evaluated. The number of children presented with amyloidosis secondary to familial Mediterranean fever was considerable. The male-female ratio was 4/3. It was observed that the number of patients with amyloidosis increased through the adolescent period, and that most of the cases demonstrated phenotype I (74.33%). Another important finding was the increase of partial thromboplastin time in 96 out of 113 cases (84.95%). All the symptoms of the periodic attacks were relieved by colchicine. A significant difference was found between the serum total protein and albumin values before and after colchicine therapy.