Pediatric Rheumatology

Pediatric rheumatic conditions are autoimmune and inflammatory disorders that cause the immune system to attack the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles.

Our pediatric rheumatology specialists offer the most advanced diagnostics and targeted medical treatments for children of all ages —from newborns to young adults—with all types of rheumatic diseases and related conditions. As part of a world-renowned medical center, your child will receive advanced, personalized care that is designed to meet their needs and help them live happy, healthy and productive lives.

About Our Program

At NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital & Weill Cornell Medicine's affiliation with the Hospital for Special Surgery, our pediatric rheumatology programs provide advanced, compassionate care for children with a variety of autoimmune, inflammatory, and rheumatic conditions.

Founded in 1960, NewYork-Presbyterian was one of the first pediatric rheumatology programs in the United States and the first in the New York City area. Today, we care for thousands of children with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, myositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vasculitis.

We have particular expertise in diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome. Through our specialized rheumatology program in pediatric amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS), we create an individualized, comprehensive, and patient-centered treatment plan that addresses each child's individual needs. We work collaboratively with many other specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian to care for patients with the most complex rheumatic conditions.

We take a holistic approach to care that considers the entire patient, including their physical, emotional, and social factors. We partner with patients and families in shared decision-making and empower them with knowledge and the most effective treatment options so they can be active participants in managing their health and achieving the best possible quality of life.

Symptoms of Rheumatic Conditions in Children

Symptoms such as muscle or joint pain do not always point to a rheumatic condition, but it is important to have your child looked at by a specialist with expertise in rheumatic and autoimmune disorders. Some common symptoms that bring children to our pediatric rheumatic specialists include:

Ongoing joint or muscle pain
Unexplained fevers
Rash
Swelling or stiffness in the joints

Conditions we treat

At the Children's Hospital of New York, our pediatric rheumatologists use state-of-the-art tools and techniques to diagnose and treat a full of rheumatic conditions that affect children and adolescents, including:

Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS), complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
Post-infectious arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM)/polymyositis
Autoinflammatory disorders
Rheumatic fever
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
ANCA associated vasculitis, Takayasu’s arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa and Henoch Schönlein Purpura (HSP)
Scleroderma
Uveitis
Kawasaki disease

Our Approach to Care

Holistic and Comprehensive Care

We recognize that every child with a rheumatic condition is unique. We take a holistic approach to care that considers the entire patient, including their physical, emotional, and social factors. We strive to partner with patients and families in shared decision-making, empowering them with knowledge, support, and the most effective treatment options to achieve the best possible outcome for every child.

A Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Our pediatric rheumatologists work closely with specialists in other fields. We have access to NewYork-Presbyterian's network of specialists, including all areas of pediatric medicine, allowing us to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive, and coordinated care for any medical issue or concern.

Parents As Team Members

As a parent, only you can provide important information about your child. You can also help other team members shape your child's personalized treatment program based on your child's physical, emotional, and practical needs. Your input is critical for making final decisions regarding your child's care. Our multidisciplinary team is here to work alongside you and your family to achieve your child's best possible outcomes.

How We Diagnose Rheumatic Conditions

Our initial comprehensive evaluation includes thorough patient history, physical examination, and detailed review of previous records and test results.
To test for rheumatic conditions we may perform immunological and autoimmunologic testing. Depending on the condition, we may perform additional specialized procedures, laboratory testing, and consultation with specialists in other fields such as gastroenterology, pulmonology, hematology-oncology, immunology, endocrinology, and genetics.

Our pediatric rheumatologists work with patients and families to create comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plans.

Treatment and Monitoring

With proper treatment and monitoring, many rheumatic conditions in children can be managed. Our patients have access to the latest medications and therapies and a range of specialists at the Children's Hospital of New York. We provide guidance and support to patients and their families throughout the treatment process, along with ongoing monitoring and care.

Special programs

Pediatric AMPS Clinic

At NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, the Pediatric Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) Clinic provides expert evaluation and compassionate care for children and adolescents with AMPS. This condition is characterized by chronic pain in the muscles, joints, or other parts of the body, which occurs without any underlying injury or inflammation. The Pediatric AMPS Clinic accurately diagnoses this challenging condition and helps your family through the treatment process.

Kawasaki Disease Program

At NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, the Kawasaki Disease Program provides expert, comprehensive care for children with Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease is a condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels and tissues throughout the body. It occurs most often in children under the age of five. If not treated early, it can cause temporary or permanent damage to the coronary artery, the blood vessel that supplies oxygen to the heart. Most children recover fully from this disease.

CRMO Disease Program

At NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital & through Weill Cornell Medicine's affiliation with the Hospital for Special Surgery, the CRMO program provides expert, comprehensive care for children with non-infectious osteomyelitis. CRMO causes inflammation within bones.

Time to diagnosis is often delayed leading to bone destruction and pain. The CRMO program can help to provide a quicker road to treatment, reduce unnecessary testing and ensure the best outcome possible. Collaboration with orthopedics, GI, and dermatology leads to seamless care

Scleroderma Program

The Scleroderma program at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital provides expert, comprehensive care for children with scleroderma. The program brings novel therapeutics and care to children with scleroderma, whether limited or diffuse.

Why Choose Us

Nationally Ranked Children's Hospital

Both NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital are among the nation's leading centers for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases. They are major referral centers for complex and rare disorders in infants, children, and adolescents.

Experts in Pediatric Rheumatology

At the Children's Hospital of New York, our pediatric rheumatologists are nationally and internationally recognized clinical experts in caring for children with rheumatic or autoimmune-related diseases. Our highly trained specialists are board-certified in pediatric rheumatology and pediatrics or internal medicine.

We have one of the largest fellowship programs in the US, teaching the next generation of pediatric rheumatologists. Because we have the resources and expertise to care for children with the most complex conditions, NewYork-Presbyterian is a referral center for other children's hospitals.

Access to World-Class Pediatric Specialists

The Children's Hospital of New York has nationally renowned specialists in every field of pediatrics. This allows your child access to various pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists they may need.