Diagnostic algorithm for chronic weight loss in children and adolescents*

* Chronic weight loss refers to decreased body weight over more than one to two weeks.
¶ Fever may not always be present in patients with weight loss caused by malignancy.
Δ Several chronic infections may cause weight loss in association with prolonged fever and nonspecific and variable clinical findings such as lymphadenopathy, hepatitis, and myalgias including brucellosis, leptospirosis, tularemia, and Epstein-Barr virus. For more information refer to UpToDate topics on fever of unknown origin.