Familial Mediterranean fever in six Australian children.

Six Australian children fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for familial Mediterranean fever. None had a family history of the disease, but five children came from ethnic groups that typically were associated with the disease. The symptoms commenced before five years of age in all the children, and three children underwent unnecessary operations because of the symptoms of recurrent fever and abdominal pain. All six children benefited from colchicine prophylaxis by mouth. More cases can be expected to be recognized in Australia because of the large number of Australian children with a Mediterranean heritage.