Department of Paediatric Rheumatology

Paediatric Rheumatology includes conditions which cause inflammation of the joints or soft tissues (such as arthritis), autoimmune conditions that can affect every organ in the body (such as lupus, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, scleroderma), fever syndromes, hereditary disorders of connective tissue and mechanical joint problems. We still do not know how these conditions arise in children, but recognise interplay of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Many of the diseases are chronic with no cure, thus having a huge impact on the child and family at a crucial time of development. Management within a specialist multidisciplinary team with expertise in paediatric rheumatology is crucial to address these issues. Children are not simply ‘mini-adults’. It is important that children and young people are cared for in a suitable environment by an appropriate team to ensure that the best possible long-term outcome is achieved through early recognition and aggressive treatment