Mixed connective tissue disease in children

A diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) had been made in five juveniles in the past two years. All have antibodies to the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) component of extractable fluorescence pattern. No child has had life-threatening complications, though three have required steroids to control their symptoms. Antibodies to ENA were looked for in the other sub-groups of Juvenile Chronic Arthritis (JCA); only two of 75 patients with chronic iridocyclitis and antinuclear antibodies had weakly positive tests.