Pediatric Rheumatology for the Adult Rheumatologist

In Brief Although many manifestations of rheumatic diseases in children are similar to those in adults, there exist important differences. These include variations in presentation and complications, differential diagnoses to consider, medication side effects, impact on growth, and psychosocial issues. As there is a US and worldwide shortage of pediatric rheumatologists, many children with rheumatic illnesses are cared for by other physicians, especially by adult rheumatologists. This article is aimed toward educating the adult rheumatologist in 4 key areas of childhood rheumatic disease: juvenile idiopathic arthritis, other rheumatic and inflammatory illnesses seen primarily in the pediatric population, differences in rheumatic diseases common to both adults and children, and psychosocial issues. Some key aspects forr adult rheumatologists treating children can include different behaviors of some diseases in children, psychosocial issues, and some diseases less often seen in adults.