EULAR/PReS endorsed consensus criteria for the classification of childhood vasculitides.
BACKGROUND
There has been a lack of appropriate classification criteria for vasculitis in children.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a widely accepted general classification for the vasculitides observed in children and specific and realistic classification criteria for common childhood vasculitides (Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), Kawasaki disease (KD), childhood polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), and Takayasu arteritis (TA)).


METHODS
The project was divided into two phases: (1) the Delphi technique was used to gather opinions from a wide spectrum of paediatric rheumatologists and nephrologists; (2) a consensus conference using nominal group technique was held. Ten international experts, all paediatricians, met for the consensus conference. Agreement of at least 80% of the participants was defined as consensus.


RESULTS
Consensus was reached to base the general working classification for childhood vasculitides on vessel size. The small vessel disease was further subcategorised into "granulomatous" and "non-granulomatous." Final criteria were developed to classify a child as HSP, KD, childhood PAN, WG, or TA, with changes introduced based on paediatric experience. Mandatory criteria were suggested for all diseases except WG.


CONCLUSIONS
It is hoped that the suggested criteria will be widely accepted around the world because of the reliable techniques used and the international and multispecialist composition of the expert group involved.
Ozen
S
S
Department of Paediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey, and Paediatric Nephrology, Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London, UK. sezaozen@hacettepe.edu.tr
Ruperto
N
N
Dillon
M J
MJ
Bagga
A
A
Barron
K
K
Davin
J C
JC
Kawasaki
T
T
Lindsley
C
C
Petty
R E
RE
Prieur
A M
AM
Ravelli
A
A
Woo
P
P
D002648:Child; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000145:classification; D003697:Delphi Technique; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000145:classification; D007391:International Cooperation; D009080:Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome / Q000145:classification; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000145:classification; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000145:classification; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000145:classification*