Abstract: Parotitis and pediatric Sjogrens Syndrome

FYI parotitis is infection of the salivary glands. I'm posting this one in case any of the parents of youngsters with dry eye might find it interesting/relevant... I had never heard of Sjogrens in children before.

Recurrent parotitis as a presentation of primary pediatric Sjögren syndrome.

Parotitis is a common condition seen in the pediatric population, usually as an isolated occurrence associated with viral or bacterial infection. The differential diagnosis expands when recurrent parotitis is encountered. One etiology is primary pediatric Sjögren syndrome (SS), an autoimmune condition typically associated with dryness of the eyes and mouth in adults. Pediatric patients often present with isolated recurrent bilateral parotitis, however, and we describe 4 such cases in children aged 9 to 17 years at presentation. Despite lack of ocular complaints, 3 of these patients had ocular findings on ophthalmologic exam. Our patients also exhibited classic laboratory abnormalities, including positive antinuclear antibody, SS A, and SS B antibodies; presence of rheumatoid factor; and hypergammaglobulinemia. Consideration of SS in the child with recurrent parotitis is important for timely and appropriate referral and treatment. We review the differential diagnosis of parotitis in children as well as the salient features of pediatric SS.

Pediatrics. 2012 Jan;129(1):e179-82. Epub 2011 Dec 19.
Baszis K, Toib D, Cooper M, French A, White A.
Source
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA. baszis_k@kids.wustl.edu