Article Text

other Versions

Download PDFPDF
Respiratory complications of the rheumatological diseases in childhood
  1. Anne E Richardson1,
  2. Kishore Warrier1,
  3. H Vyas2
  1. 1Department of Paediatrics, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK
  2. 2Department of Child Health, Nottingham University Hospital, Nottingham, UK
  1. Correspondence to Professor H Vyas, Department of Child Health, Nottingham University Hospital, Derby Rd, Nottingham NG72UH, UK; harish.vyas{at}nuh.nhs.uk

Abstract

Pleuropulmonary manifestations of rheumatological diseases are rare in children but pose a significant risk to overall morbidity and mortality. We have reviewed the literature to provide an overview of the respiratory complications of the commonest rheumatological diseases to occur in children (juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, juvenile dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, granulomatosis with polyangitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis). Pulmonary function testing in these patients can be used to refine the differential diagnosis and establish disease severity, but also has a role in ongoing monitoring for respiratory complications. Early detection of pulmonary involvement allows for prompt and targeted therapies to achieve the best outcome for the child. This is best achieved with joint specialist paediatric rheumatology and respiratory reviews in a multidisciplinary setting.

  • systemic lupus
  • biologics
  • vasculitis
  • pulmonary function testing
  • Rheumatology

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.