Related Experiment Videos
Treatment of rheumatic diseases in children: special considerations
Diana S Milojevic1, Norman T Ilowite
1Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Schneider Children's Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 269-01 76th Avenue, Room CH191, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA.
Insights
Pediatric rheumatic disease treatment aims to control illness while supporting healthy growth. Dosing and toxicity risks for antirheumatic drugs differ in children compared to adults, requiring careful management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Rheumatic diseases in children require treatment focused on disease control and normal development.
- Pediatric rheumatic disease management shares drug choices with adults but necessitates dose and schedule adjustments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the unique considerations in treating pediatric rheumatic diseases.
- To emphasize the importance of managing nutritional, developmental, and growth factors alongside medication.
- To address differential susceptibility to drug toxicity in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of adult and pediatric rheumatic disease treatment protocols.
- Review of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in pediatric populations.
- Evaluation of growth, nutrition, and developmental impacts on treatment efficacy and safety.
Main Results:
- Antirheumatic drug selection is similar for children and adults.
- Dosing, treatment schedules, and toxicity profiles vary significantly in pediatric patients.
- Nutritional status, development, and growth impact treatment outcomes and safety.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric rheumatologists must consider unique patient factors beyond disease activity.
- Tailoring antirheumatic drug therapy to individual pediatric needs is crucial for optimal outcomes.
- Addressing growth, development, and toxicity is integral to pediatric rheumatic disease care.
Abstract:
The goals of treatment of rheumatic diseases in children are to control the disease process while ensuring normal nutrition, growth, and development. The choice of antirheumatic drugs is similar in children and adults, but the doses, treatment schedules, and susceptibility to toxicity can differ considerably. In addition to differences between adult and pediatric diseases themselves, it is important for the rheumatologist who treats children to be cognizant of the impact of nutritional, developmental, and growth issues and differential susceptibility to toxicity of various treatments.