What is a Paediatric Rheumatologist?

Paediatric rheumatologists treat children and young people (usually up to the age of 18) who have a wide variety of inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions of the musculoskeletal system as well as conditions of auto-immune mediated multi-system inflammation. Many of the conditions managed by paediatric rheumatology services such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus are lifelong and require optimal and multidisciplinary treatment.

In order to become a paediatric rheumatologist, trainees would ordinarily complete their medical degree followed by internship and residency. This is followed by 3 years at basic training in paediatrics and then 3 years of dedicated training in paediatric rheumatology.

A paediatric rheumatologist is a paediatrician who has specialised in the treatment of children with rheumatic disease. There are number of adult rheumatologists who have undertaken additional training or have specific experience in paediatric rheumatology and are competent in the management of children with rheumatic diseases.