On the morning of July 28, 2025, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (VNCH) successfully organized a scientific workshop titled: “Autoinflammatory Diseases – What Pediatricians Need to Know.” The event attracted wide participation from pediatricians at VNCH, postgraduate trainees, and healthcare professionals from various pediatric, obstetric-pediatric, and general hospitals, as well as medical centers across the country, both onsite and online.
The session was chaired by Dr. Cao Viet Tung, Vice Director of VNCH, and featured an in-depth presentation by Professor Surjit Singh, Head of the Department of Pediatrics and the Allergy-Immunology Unit at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
Professor Singh opened the session with a case study of a 4-year-old child presenting with periodic high fever, pharyngitis, mouth ulcers, poor appetite, and musculoskeletal pain, unresponsive to multiple courses of antibiotics. The child was later diagnosed with PFAPA syndrome, a frequently overlooked autoinflammatory disease, emphasizing the importance of considering such conditions in cases of prolonged, unexplained inflammation.
Autoinflammatory syndromes are inherited disorders affecting the innate immune system. Common examples include Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID), and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS).
During his talk, Professor Singh provided a comprehensive overview of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and updated treatment options for these syndromes. His integration of real-world clinical cases from India made the lecture both practical and highly applicable for Vietnamese physicians.
Professor Singh highlighted that early diagnosis of autoinflammatory diseases is essential for effective treatment, prevention of complications, and reducing the economic burden on families and the healthcare system.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Cao Viet Tung, Vice Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, emphasized: “Autoinflammatory diseases are a complex group of conditions involving multiple organ systems. Through today’s lecture, Professor Surjit Singh has provided us with a clear and systematic overview of the typical manifestations, thereby facilitating more accurate differential diagnosis. We hope that in the future, Professor Singh will continue to accompany us and share his valuable expertise with our medical team, contributing to the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of immunological disorders in children in Vietnam.”
The workshop concluded with a lively and engaging discussion, opening up new approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of autoinflammatory diseases – a group of conditions that continues to pose significant challenges in the field of pediatrics.
Prior to the workshop, on July 25–26, 2025, Professor Surjit Singh held two days of intensive clinical and academic exchange at VNCH, working with the Heart Center and the Department of Immunology – Allergy – Rheumatology. He delivered specialized training on updated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Kawasaki disease and other immunological conditions. Additionally, Professor Singh participated in clinical case discussions, offering expert opinions on complex pediatric cases, which significantly contributed to improved patient care.
On the morning of July 28, before the scientific session, Professor Singh met again with representatives from key departments to explore further professional collaboration. During this meeting, both sides expressed a strong interest in expanding cooperation, particularly through doctor exchange programs and joint training initiatives between VNCH and PGIMER Chandigarh.
Professor Singh praised the highly professional and internationally aligned capabilities of VNCH’s Cardiology Center, commending its modern facilities and committed medical staff. He expressed confidence in VNCH’s continued success as a leading institution in pediatric care in Vietnam.
In return, Dr. Cao Viet Tung extended his heartfelt thanks, affirming that the insights shared by Professor Singh – particularly regarding Kawasaki disease—serve as a valuable resource for VNCH physicians.
