conditions we treat

At Dayton Children’s Hospital our specialists can diagnose and manage nearly all pediatric rheumatic diseases. The goal is to decrease or eliminate symptoms so your child can get back to being active.

juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common form of arthritis in children and adolescents. JIA was formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), but the name was changed because it is different from adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Learn more. 

lupus

Lupus is an auto-immune condition that causes the immune system to make antibodies that attack healthy tissue. Lupus can attack different organs including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart and brain, and causes pain and inflammation. Learn more. 

multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)

MIS-C is a hyperinflammatory syndrome that occurs in children who have likely had a recent COVID-19 infection. The condition usually develops three to four weeks after a COVID infection. Learn more. 

juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM)

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is an inflammatory (causes pain and swelling) disease that affects the muscle, skin and blood vessels. Learn more. 

periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis (PFAPA) syndrome

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis (PFAPA) syndrome is the most common disorder of the periodic fever syndromes. PFAPA shows up between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. Children with PFAPA have reoccurring fevers, mouth sores, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Learn more. 

antinuclear antibodies (ANAs)

A positive ANA test means that autoantibodies are present and could mean that an autoimmune disease is present. The immune system produces proteins called antibodies. Antibodies are created by white blood cells and help our bodies fight off germs in the body. When germs are recognized in the body, antibodies recruit other proteins and cells to help fight off the infection. Learn more. 

• Acute rheumatic fever (inflammation, with fever, as joint pain and tenderness) 
• Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (severe pain throughout the body or in a specific area)
• Ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of the spine and joints, causing stiffness and pain)
• Autoinflammatory syndromes (a group of conditions that can cause episodes of rash and fever)
• Enthesitis related arthritis (autoimmune inflammation of the tendons)
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura (inflammation of the blood vessels affecting the skin, GI tract and kidneys)
• Kawasaki disease (involves fever and the skin, mouth and lymph nodes, and most often affects kids under age 5)
• Mixed connective tissue disease (features symptoms of multiple rheumatic conditions)
• Noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain (pain in the muscles, bones and joints without swelling)
• Psoriatic arthritis (arthritis in children with the skin condition psoriasis)
• Reactive arthritis (joint swelling and pain caused by a bacterial infection)
• Raynaud's Disease (abnormal blood flow in the fingers and toes)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (arthritis involving multiple joints)
• Sarcoidosis (when nodules form in the skin or other tissues)
• Scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder that hardens the skin)
• Sjogren’s syndrome (affects the whole body, causing fatigue, joint pain, dry eyes and mouth)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (or SLE, a chronic inflammation of joints, tendons and some internal organs)
• Vasculitic disorders (also called vasculitides, conditions that cause inflammation of the blood vessels)

virtual care

Video visits at Dayton Children's provide you and your child a convenient, hassle-free environment for your appointment. Video visits are just like an office visit, only from the comfort of your home! Using video conferencing technology (similar to FaceTime or Google Meet) allow you to have an appointment from your mobile device or personal computer without the need to commute. If your child has an upcoming appointment, ask if a video visit is an option for care. Call 937-641-3000. Learn more about video visits.