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Information and Resources

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Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

FCAS
familial cold urticaria
FCU

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS), also known as familial cold urticaria, is a rare, inherited inflammatory disorder characterized by intermittent episodes of rash, fever, joint pain and other signs/symptoms of systemic inflammation triggered by exposure to cold. Onset of FCAS occurs during infancy and early childhood and persists throughout the patient's life.

FCAS is one of the cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) caused by mutations in the CIAS1/NLRP3 gene. These syndromes are characterized by fever, rash, and joint pain. As in other CAPS, amyloidosis can develop later in life in FCAS patients rarely. Amyloidosis is due to an abnormal accumulation of the protein amyloid in a patient's tissues and organs such as the kidneys where it results in damage and often kidney failure if untreated.

FCAS shares symptoms, and should not be confused, with acquired cold urticaria, a more common condition mediated by different mechanisms that usually develops later in life and is rarely inherited.

Resources

NIH/Office of Rare Disease Research
National Institutes of Health
6100 Executive Boulevard Room 3A07, MSC 7518
Bethesda, MD 20892-7518
Tel: (301)402-4336
Fax: (301)480-9655
Email: ordr@od.nih.gov
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/AboutGARD.aspx

Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310)264-0826
Fax: (310)264-4766
Email: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org

NOMID Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 590354
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: (415)831-8782
Email: site_manager@nomidalliance.net
Internet: http://www.nomidalliance.net

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: �2/14/2011
Copyright �2007, 2011�National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: May 16, 2012

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.