This is an RSS newsfeed from BioMed Central It is intended to be used with an RSS reader. For more information about RSS newsfeeds from BioMed Central, visit http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/about/rss/ http://www.ped-rheum.commostviewed/ Most viewed articles in last 30 days from Pediatric Rheumatology (ISSN 1546-0096) published by BioMed Central Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic arthropathy of childhood which is believed to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The progress in identifying genes underlying JIA susceptibility using candidate gene association studies has been slow. Several associations between JIA and variants in the genes encoding the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) have been confirmed and replicated in independent cohorts. However it is clear that genetic variants outside the HLA also influence susceptibility to JIA. While a large number of non-HLA candidate genes have been tested for associations, only a handful of reported associations such as PTPN22 have been validated. In this review we discuss the principles behind genetic studies of complex traits like JIA, and comprehensively catalogue non-HLA candidate-gene association studies performed in JIA to date and review several validated associations. Most candidate gene studies are underpowered and do not detect associations, and those that do are often not replicated. We also discuss the principles behind genome-wide association studies and discuss possible implications for identifying genes underlying JIA. Finally we discuss several genetic variants underlying multiple clinically distinct autoimmune phenotypes. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/11 Sampath Prahalad and David N Glass Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:11 Number of accesses: 510 2008-07-21 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-11 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 11 2008-07-21 We review the clinical manifestations of "growing pains", the most common form of episodic childhood musculoskeletal pain. Physicians should be careful to adhere to clear clinical criteria as described in this review before diagnosing a child with growing pain. We expand on current theories on possible causes of growing pains and describe the management of these pains and the generally good outcome in nearly all children. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/5/1/5 Yosef Uziel and Philip J Hashkes Pediatric Rheumatology 2007, 5:5 Number of accesses: 491 2007-04-19 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-5-5 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 5 5 2007-04-19 Foot and ankle pain is common in children and adolescents. Problems are usually related to skeletal maturity and are fairly specific to the age of the child. Evaluation and management is challenging and requires a thorough history and physical exam, and understanding of the pediatric skeleton. This article will review common causes of foot and ankle pain in the pediatric population. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/6 Kristin M Houghton Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:6 Number of accesses: 465 2008-04-09 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-6 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 6 2008-04-09 Anterior knee pain is common in children and adolescents. Evaluation and management is challenging and requires a thorough history and physical exam, and understanding of the pediatric skeleton. This article will review common causes of chronic anterior knee pain in the pediatric population with a focus on patellofemoral pain. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/5/1/8 Kristin M Houghton Pediatric Rheumatology 2007, 5:8 Number of accesses: 415 2007-05-04 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-5-8 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 5 8 2007-05-04 Pediatric rheumatic diseases with predominant musculoskeletal involvement such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM) can cause considerable physical functional impairment and significantly affect the children's quality of life (QOL). Physical function, QOL, health-related QOL (HRQOL) and health status are personal constructs used as outcomes to estimate the impact of these diseases and often used as proxies for each other. The chronic, fluctuating nature of these diseases differs within and between patients, and complicates the measurement of these outcomes. In children, their growing needs and expectations, limited use of age-specific questionnaires, and the use of proxy respondents further influences this evaluation. This article will briefly review the different constructs inclusive of and related to physical function, and the scales used for measuring them. An understanding of these instruments will enable assessment of functional outcome in clinical studies of children with rheumatic diseases, measure the impact of the disease and treatments on their lives, and guide us in formulating appropriate interventions. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/9 Lakshmi Nandini Moorthy, Margaret GE Peterson, Melanie J Harrison, Karen B Onel and Thomas JA Lehman Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:9 Number of accesses: 346 2008-06-04 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-9 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 9 2008-06-04 A 16 year old female with systemic lupus erythematosus presents with acute appendicitis. Final pathologic analysis of the appendix describes a lupus-associated vasculitis. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/10 Christina Cellini, Syed A Hoda and Nitsana Spigland Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:10 Number of accesses: 281 2008-06-27 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-10 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 10 2008-06-27 We report a case of Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) associated with blastomycosis. This appears to be the first case report of WG co-existing with a tissue proven blastomycosis infection. The temporal correlation of the two conditions suggests that blastomycosis infection (and therefore possibly other fungal infections), may trigger the systemic granulomatous vasculitis in a predisposed individual; a provocative supposition warranting further study. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/13 Reem Abdwani, Kristin Houghton, Simon Dobson, Maureen O' Sullivan and Peter Malleson Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:13 Number of accesses: 219 2008-08-03 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-13 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 13 2008-08-03 Three pediatric patients with different illnesses leading to knee arthritis and large Baker cysts and additional calf swelling are reported. Calf swelling was due to true popliteal venous thrombosis and not to the much more common cause of pseudothrombophlebitis. Careful ultrasound examination can differentiate these two causes of calf swelling. Even though all our patients had risk factors for thrombophilia, we do not recommend routine thrombophilia work-up for all arthritis patients in the absence of thrombosis. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/12 Frank Dressler, Cornelia Wermes, Eckart Schirg and Angelika Thon Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:12 Number of accesses: 217 2008-07-24 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-12 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 12 2008-07-24 The coexistence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients with congenital human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is rare. This is a case report of a child diagnosed with SLE at nine years of age. She initially did well on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, hydroxychloroquine, and steroids. She then discontinued her anti-lupus medications and was lost to follow-up. At 13 years of age, her lupus symptoms had resolved and she presented with intermittent fevers, cachexia, myalgias, arthralgias, and respiratory symptoms. Through subsequent investigations, the patient was ultimately diagnosed with congenitally acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/7 Elizabeth C Chalom, Fariba Rezaee and Joel Mendelson Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:7 Number of accesses: 174 2008-05-01 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-7 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 7 2008-05-01 Background: Central nervous system involvement occurs in as many as twenty percent of Takayasu arteritis cases. When central nervous system disease is present, it typically manifests as cerebral ischemia or stroke. There are rare reports of intracranial aneurysms in adults with Takayasu arteritis, but none in children.Case presentationWe describe a case of Takayasu arteritis in an 18 month old girl who presented with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Full body magnetic resonance angiography revealed bilateral iliac, pelvic and intragluteal aneurysms, irregular terminal aorta, and stenotic renal arteries. Iliac vessel biopsy showed a lymphocytic infiltrate and giant cells localized to the internal elastica. Conclusion: This case highlights cerebral aneurysm as a highly unusual initial manifestation of Takayasu arteritis and demonstrates the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of response to therapy in TA in children. http://www.ped-rheum.com/content/6/1/4 Pamela F Weiss, Diana A Corao, Avrum N Pollock, Terri H Finkel and Sabrina E Smith Pediatric Rheumatology 2008, 6:4 Number of accesses: 144 2008-01-31 doi:10.1186/1546-0096-6-4 Pediatric Rheumatology 1546-0096 6 4 2008-01-31