Connective tissue diseases, also known as rheumatoid diseases, comprise a group of diseases whose common characteristic is connective tissue inflammation. The symptoms of these diseases quite frequently affect the musculoskeletal system; however, they can originate from other organs or systems.
In children, the most common connective tissue diseases are juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, scleroderma, vasculitis (some of which primarily concern children, such as allergic purpura and Kawasaki disease), rheumatic fever, autoinflammatory fever symptoms, etc.
The Metropolitan Hospital Pediatric Department runs a Regular Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic, while such cases can be thoroughly investigated and treated on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
