Systemic exertion intolerance disease diagnostic criteria applied on an adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome cohort: evaluation of subgroup differences and prognostic utility.

Objective: Existing case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) all have disputed validity. The present study investigates differences between adolescent patients with CFS who satisfy the systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) diagnostic criteria (SEID-positive) and those who do not satisfy the criteria (SEID-negative).

Methods: 120 adolescent patients with CFS with a mean age of 15.

Whole blood gene expression in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: an exploratory cross-sectional study suggesting altered B cell differentiation and survival.

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a prevalent and disabling condition affecting adolescents. The pathophysiology is poorly understood, but immune alterations might be an important component. This study compared whole blood gene expression in adolescent CFS patients and healthy controls, and explored associations between gene expression and neuroendocrine markers, immune markers and clinical markers within the CFS group.

Sleep-wake rhythm disturbances and perceived sleep in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by long-lasting, disabling and unexplained fatigue that is often accompanied by unrefreshing sleep. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate sleep-wake rhythm and perceived sleep in adolescent CFS patients compared to healthy individuals. We analysed baseline data on 120 adolescent CFS patients and 39 healthy individuals included in the NorCAPITAL project.

Emotional conflict processing in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: A pilot study using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Studies of neurocognition suggest that abnormalities in cognitive control contribute to the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in adolescents, yet these abnormalities remain poorly understood at the neurobiological level. Reports indicate that adolescents with CFS are significantly impaired in conflict processing, a primary element of cognitive control.

Method: In this study, we examine whether emotional conflict processing is altered on behavioral and neural levels in adolescents with CFS and a healthy comparison group.

Altered neuroendocrine control and association to clinical symptoms in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a common and disabling disorder, and a major threat against adolescent health. The pathophysiology is unknown, but alteration of neuroendocrine control systems might be a central element, resulting in attenuation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenalin (HPA) axis and enhancement of the sympathetic/adrenal medulla (SAM) system. This study explored differences in neuroendocrine control mechanisms between adolescent CFS patients and healthy controls, and whether characteristics of the control mechanisms are associated with important clinical variables within the CFS group.

Maintenance of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in Young CFS Patients Is Associated with the 5-HTTLPR and SNP rs25531 A > G Genotype.

Earlier studies have shown that genetic variability in the SLC6A4 gene encoding the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) may be important for the re-uptake of serotonin (5-HT) in the central nervous system. In the present study we investigated how the 5-HTT genotype i.e.

Effects of low-dose clonidine on cardiovascular and autonomic variables in adolescents with chronic fatigue: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a common and disabling condition in adolescence with few treatment options. A central feature of CFS is orthostatic intolerance and abnormal autonomic cardiovascular control characterized by sympathetic predominance. We hypothesized that symptoms as well as the underlying pathophysiology might improve by treatment with the alpha2A-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine.

Health related quality of life in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: To study health related quality of life (HRQOL) and depressive symptoms in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and to investigate in which domains their HRQOL and depressive symptoms differ from those of healthy adolescents.

Background And Objective: Several symptoms such as disabling fatigue, pain and depressive symptoms affect different life domains of adolescents with CFS. Compared to adolescents with other chronic diseases, young people with CFS are reported to be severely impaired, both physiologically and mentally.

Cognitive dysfunction in adolescents with chronic fatigue: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To compare cognitive function in adolescents with chronic fatigue with cognitive function in healthy controls (HC).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Paediatric department at Oslo University Hospital, Norway.

Study findings challenge the content validity of the Canadian Consensus Criteria for adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Aim: The 2003 Canadian Consensus Criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are often assumed to suggest low-grade systemic inflammation, but have never been formally validated. This study explored the content validity of the Criteria in a sample of adolescents with CFS selected according to a wide case definition.

Methods: A total of 120 patients with CFS with a mean age of 15.

Plasma cytokine expression in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a prevalent and disabling condition among adolescents. The pathophysiology is poorly understood, but low-grade systemic inflammation has been suggested as an important component. This study compared circulating levels of individual cytokines and parameters of cytokine networks in a large set of adolescent CFS patients and healthy controls, and explored associations between cytokines and symptoms in the CFS group.

Pain and pressure pain thresholds in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Although pain is a significant symptom in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), pain is poorly understood in adolescents with CFS. The aim of this study was to explore pain distribution and prevalence, pain intensity and its functional interference in everyday life, as well as pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in adolescents with CFS and compare this with a control group of healthy adolescents (HC).

Methods: This is a case-control, cross-sectional study on pain including 120 adolescents with CFS and 39 HCs, aged 12-18 years.

Orthostatic responses in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: contributions from expectancies as well as gravity.

Background: Orthostatic intolerance is common in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and several studies have documented an abnormal sympathetic predominance in the autonomic cardiovascular response to gravitational stimuli. The aim of this study was to explore whether the expectancies towards standing are contributors to autonomic responses in addition to the gravitational stimulus itself.

Methods: A total of 30 CFS patients (12-18 years of age) and 39 healthy controls underwent 20° head-up tilt test and a motor imagery protocol of standing upright.

Disease mechanisms and clonidine treatment in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a combined cross-sectional and randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling condition with unknown disease mechanisms and few treatment options.

Objective: To explore the pathophysiology of CFS and assess clonidine hydrochloride pharmacotherapy in adolescents with CFS by using a hypothesis that patients with CFS have enhanced sympathetic activity and that sympatho-inhibition by clonidine would improve symptoms and function.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Participants were enrolled from a single referral center recruiting nationwide in Norway.

Clonidine in the treatment of adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study for the NorCAPITAL trial.

Background: This pilot study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01507701) assessed the feasibility and safety of clonidine in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Specifically, we assessed clonidine dosage in relation to a) plasma concentration levels, b) orthostatic cardiovascular responses, and c) possible adverse effects.

Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome; a follow-up study displays concurrent improvement of circulatory abnormalities and clinical symptoms.

Background: The pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in adolescents is unknown, and the clinical course and prognosis is still questioned. Recent research indicates that abnormalities of autonomic cardiovascular control may play an important role. The aim of this research project was to perform a follow-up study of adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome, focusing on clinical symptoms and autonomic cardiovascular control.

Elevated nocturnal blood pressure and heart rate in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Aim: To compare ambulatory recordings of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and healthy controls. We hypothesized both HR and blood pressure to be elevated among CFS patients.

Methods: Forty-four CFS patients aged 12-18 years were recruited from our paediatric outpatient clinic.

[An 11-month-year-old girl with repeated respiratory infections].

Hidden behind subtle symptoms and unspecific signs, heart failure in children can pose a significant challenge regarding diagnostic approach as well as treatment strategy. A case report is presented for an 11-month-year-old girl with recurrent airway infections and signs of cardiac failure as a consequence of ventricular non-compaction. This disease is morphologically distinct; most likely a developmental defect of the ventricular myocardium.