The management of paediatric rheumatological emergencies.

Whilst they are rare paediatric rheumatological emergencies can be life-threatening. They may occur in a patient with or without a known underlying rheumatological diagnosis. The signs and symptoms of a rheumatological emergency may be subtle and non-specific and can easily be missed, especially in a patient without a known underlying connective tissue disease or vasculitis. Progression can be rapid and without prompt recognition and treatment such emergencies can be catastrophic. This paper discusses the presenting features and the approach to management of several rheumatological emergencies including Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS), Pulmonary-Renal Syndrome, neonatal heart block, central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis and Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome (CAPS). Awareness of these conditions facilitates prompt recognition, guides appropriate investigations and ensures timely initiation of treatment. This is essential to help prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Paediatrics & Child Health is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)