title: Ankylosing spondylitis of childhood onset.
abstract: Ankylosing spondylitis begins in childhood in a significant number of patients. The disease may begin in one of two ways: with early hip girdle and low back complaints, or with peripheral arthritis affecting a few large joints. Ankylosing spondylitis should be suspected in seronegative boys over the age of 8 years who have pauciarticular arthritis, particularly if there is associated hip girdle involvement. Early recognition of ankylosing spondylitis may be helpful in appropriate therapy and followup of patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain; D011859:Radiography; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000175:diagnosis*