Definition of Pediatric rheumatologistPediatric rheumatologist definition - medical term A physician who specializes in
providing comprehensive care to children (as well as their families)
with rheumatic diseases, especially arthritis.
Pediatric rheumatologists are pediatricians who have completed an
additional 2-3 years of specialized training in pediatric
rheumatology and are usually board-certified in pediatric
rheumatology.
Pediatric rheumatologists are specifically trained to be highly
skilled in: 1) various possible diagnoses of children and
adolescents, 2) efficient use of tools and tests for diagnosis in
children and adolescents, 3) selecting the most appropriate therapy
(including other consultations) for children and adolescents with
rheumatic diseases, 4) monitoring long-term therapy for effectiveness
and side effects unique to children and adolescents, 5) achieving
favorable outcomes in terms of control of rheumatic diseases and
prevention of disability, 6) coordinating care for children and
adolescents with multisystem diseases, and 7) dealing with
chronically ill children, adolescents, and their families.
Pediatric rheumatologists have special interests in unexplained rash,
fever, arthritis, anemia, weakness, weight loss, fatigue, muscle
pain, autoimmune disease, and anorexia. They have particular skills
in the evaluation of juvenile arthritis, spondylitis, systemic lupus
erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, dermatomyositis, Sjogren's
syndrome, vasculitis, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease,
sarcoidosis, Lyme disease, osteomyelitis, relapsing polychondritis,
Henoch-Schonlein purpura, serum sickness, reactive arthritis,
Kawasaki's disease, fibromyalgia, erythromelalgia, Raynaud's disease,
growing pains, iritis, and osteoporosis in children.
This information was condensed from a Statement of the American
College of Rheumatology, published in Arthritis Care and Research 12:
48-51, 1999.
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