Pediatric Rheumatology deals with children suffering with rheumatic diseases. They are connective tissue diseases which are often autoimmune in origin. Common conditions include - Kawasaki Disease, Henoch Schonlein Purpura, Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis, Lupus and many others. Children with periodic fevers and similar autoinflammatory conditions are also being treated.
Pediatric Immunology involves diagnosis and treatment of Primary Immune Deficiencies (also called, Inborn Errors of Immunity). They are genetic diseases affecting immune system that predispose children and adults to recurrent infections, autoimmunity and malignancies. Common conditions include - X linked agammaglobulinemia, Common Variable Immune Deficiency, Hyper IgM syndrome, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, Chronic granulomatous disease and many others. Many of these children can be cured with a bone marrow transplant.
FAQs
Want to find out more about the treatment? The answer to your questions can be found below.
Who is a Paediatrician?
A paediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children upto 14 years. Paediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens, and young adults.
Why is immunization important for a child's health?
Immunization is a simple and effective way of protecting children from serious diseases. Vaccines work by triggering the immune system to fight against certain diseases. If a vaccinated person comes in contact with these diseases, their immune system is able to respond more effectively, preventing the disease.
Why should I come to Aster MIMS hospital for Paediatric treatment?
Aster MIMS Hospital has a wide range of paediatric services and treatments that are available under one roof. We believe that children deserve to be treated with understanding and care and to receive the highest quality health care. Aster Mims is specifically designed to take care of the whole child through a family-centred approach to medicine.
How does a Paediatric Rheumatologist & Immunologist decide on a treatment plan?
Specialists treat rheumatologic disorders and conduct diagnostic and imaging tests to examine patients' conditions. They analyse patients’ medical reports and previous treatment results and assess the risks and benefits associated with treatments like physical therapy, medications, or immunotherapy.
What advancements or technologies are utilised by Paediatric rheumatologists & Immunologists?
Aster MIMS Hospital in Calicut is equipped with advanced equipment and required medical devices that paediatric rheumatologists and immunologists use to treat patients. The equipment includes X-ray machines, Ultrasound machines, MRI scanners, intra-articular injection kits, and laboratory testing kits for blood tests. Further, they also use electromyography (EMG) machines and bone density scanners to assess muscle health and bone mineral density, respectively.
What documents to carry on my first visit to a Paediatric Rheumatologist & Immunologist?
Patients must carry documents about their current medical conditions, symptoms, and genetic disorders. This significantly impacts the decisions that a Paediatric Rheumatologist and immunologist in Calicut make to treat and diagnose allergies and rheumatologic disorders. Further, patients must carry referral letters from physicians and reports of past treatments and diagnostic tests.
How should I prepare for my first visit to Paediatric Rheumatologist & Immunologist?
You must prepare by carrying all medical documents, as they impact overall decision-making related to imaging tests and treatment plans. Further, all relevant documents, including genetic disorders and referral letters, must be provided to medical staff to smoothly initiate the formalities. Lastly, reach the Aster MIMS hospital before your appointment time and in comfortable clothes.
How often should my child see the paediatrician?
Your child should not only see the paediatrician for an illness. It is also important to schedule well-child-care exams regularly, beginning in infancy. Also called well-care visits or check-ups, these routine examinations provide the best opportunity for the doctor to observe the progress of your child's physical and mental growth and development; to counsel and teach parents; to detect problems through screening tests; to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines are extremely safe and serious side effects are rare. Almost all sickness or discomfort after vaccination is minor and temporary, such as soreness at the injection site or mild fever.
What does a Paediatric Rheumatologist & Immunologist do?
Paediatric rheumatologists and immunologists are medical professionals who treat and diagnose disorders related to children’s and teenagers’ immune systems. They treat rheumatologic diseases, like autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders, and allergies, like atopic dermatitis, cystic fibrosis, eczema, and environmental allergies, respectively. Their major roles include identifying potential allergic threats in teenagers and treating the mentioned rheumatologic disorders.
What questions should you ask a Paediatric Rheumatologist & Immunologist?
Patients must consult with doctors about the reason behind their medical conditions and symptoms. They must also ask about potential risks and benefits associated with the treatment plan and know about the lifestyle changes required, symptoms to monitor, and precautions to consider during and after treatment.
What are the most common types of conditions that Paediatric rheumatologists & immunologists treat?
Major treatments that paediatric rheumatologists treat are familial Mediterranean fever, vasculitis, Kawasaki disease, Henoch-schönlein purpura, arthritis, uveitis, Raynaud's phenomenon, juvenile dermatomyositis, lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, and localised scleroderma. Further, paediatric rheumatologists treat conditions and disorders, including urticaria, latex allergy, rhinitis, sinusitis, lupus, eosinophilic esophagitis, immune deficiency, latex allergy, environmental allergies, atopic dermatitis, cystic fibrosis, anaphylaxis, asthma, and eczema.
When should I consider seeing a Paediatric Rheumatologist & Immunologist?
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and conditions, you would prefer to visit the medical experts at Aster MIMS. The conditions include sore joints, swelling, rashes, warmth, redness, or nodules, fatigue, joint stiffness, and recurrent fevers to see an expert paediatric rheumatologist. Similarly, see expert paediatric immunologists to examine if children are prone to specific dust, pollen, or pet dander allergies.
What is the role of a Paediatric Rheumatologist & Immunologist in a patient's treatment journey?
Paediatric Rheumatologists and immunologists diagnose and treat patients who suffer from severe allergies and rheumatologic diseases, ensuring they receive the best preventive care. They adjust medical treatments according to patients’ responses and medical conditions and make it transparent with patients’ families regarding the risks and benefits associated with treatment plans.
