title: Common presentations of pediatric rheumatologic diseases: a generalist's guide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a case-based approach of three common scenarios which often present to the primary care physician. The approach to these cases and the differential diagnosis are discussed for these common rheumatologic diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numerous healthy children and adolescents are referred to pediatric rheumatologists for the evaluation of suspected rheumatologic diseases. Often, general rheumatologic laboratory tests are sent which are not necessarily specific to the clinical situation. There is a high false-positive rate associated with many of these tests and undue anxiety and referrals result from these. Directed laboratory studies based on history and exam findings are more prudent and useful in the evaluation of these children. Routine antinuclear antibody testing, for example, is not recommended without supportive symptoms or signs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A practical approach for primary care physicians is described for the evaluation of patients suspected of having some of the more common pediatric rheumatologic symptoms and diseases.
authors: The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, The Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York, USA.
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: Reyhan
authors: Baruch R
authors: BR
authors: Goldberg
authors: Beth S
authors: BS
authors: Gottlieb
mesh_terms: D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*