Periodic Disease

The Department of Pediatrics # 1 of the Yerevan State Medical University, functioning at the Arabkir Medical Centre  - Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, initiated the studies and care for children with FMF since 80s under the guidance of Prof. Vilen Astvatsatryan, who first described the cases of FMF in Armenian children. In 1998, by decree of the Ministry of Health of Armenia, the National Pediatric FMF Centre as a unit of the Arabkir NC – ICAH was established. The Centre’s missions are promoting early diagnosis, treatment of FMF in children and prevention of its complications. Since 2003, the Centre implements the project “Early diagnosis and treatment of FMF in children” under support of the Hovard Karagyozyan organization and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Armenia. Within the frames of the project, more than 2500 children with FMF have got free treatment by colchicines up to date.

Within the state beneficial package, all sick children of Armenian nationality get free follow up service until age of 18; citizens of other than Armenia countries are served on the payment base and within the on-going humanitarian projects.

The fields of specialization

The Centre works in following directions:
- Medical: diagnosis, treatment, follow up, providing with colchicine
- Educational: training of doctors, residents, nurses through seminars, including out-reach trainings
- Raising awareness of public and education of parents and children, development and publication of booklets, participation and support to TV and Radio programs.
- Research on etiopathogenesis, epidemiology, genotype-phenotype correlations, atypic course of FMF, correlations with anti inflammatory diseases, studies of complications of disease including kydney damage and intestinal mechanical obstruction.
 
Achievements 

- Nowadays FMF diagnosed in Armenian children earlier than before start of centre’s activities
- Regular follow up according to the international standards
- Free treatment by colchicines for more than 7 years
- Dramatic decrease in prevalence of complications of FMF, especially amyloidosis

Donations

Regardless it achievements, the Centre needs support in supplies of colchicines, support in conducting clinical and laboratory services