Rheumatology

Our Clinics

Lupus, Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis Clinic

The Lupus, Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis Clinic at Nationwide Children’s provides state-of-the art, evidence-based, compassionate, family-centered care to children and adolescents with lupus, vasculitis and glomerulonephritis disorders.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Clinic

The Department of Rheumatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Clinic to provide comprehensive care for the needs of our clinic patients.

Neuroimmunology Clinic

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Neuroimmunology Clinic provides evidence-based, family-centered clinical care for infants, children and teens with autoimmune disorders that affect the central nervous system, known as neuroimmune disorders.

Hypermobility Clinic

The Hypermobility Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a family-centered clinic that evaluates and develops an individualized treatment plan to reduce joint pain and complications related to joint hypermobility. 

Family Resources

• Lupus and Kids: Understanding Child Onset Disease
• Helping Your Child With Lupus: From Team Care to Sun Smarts
• Juvenile Arthritis: Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Your Child

References

• American College of Rheumatology
• National Institute of Health - JIA
• National Institute of Health - Lupus
• National Organization for Rare Disorders

Foundations

• Arthritis Foundation
• Lupus Foundation
• Scleroderma Foundation
• Vasculitis Foundation
• Cure JM Foundation

Highlighted Activities

• Rare Disease Day
• Jingle Bell Run

Research 

We participate in clinical research, but our first priority is always patient care. We would never treat a patient, or their parent, with any less respect or care if they did not participate in research. We believe it would be unethical, and we would never participate in any research that we thought might harm our patients. Children's has an institutional review board that has very strict rules about how research involving patients must be performed. We also have available the facilities and expertise of Pediatric Clinical Trials International (PCTI). 

Since the number of children with arthritis, or lupus, for example is small in comparison to adults, it is essential for multiple pediatric rheumatology centers to participate in collaborative research. Otherwise, it will be impossible to have enough patients in certain studies to reach meaningful conclusions. 

Most of the pediatric rheumatologists in the United States have come together to form a group called the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group, or PRCSG. This group is lead by pediatric rheumatologists who have great experience in designing and performing clinical research. We belong to the PRCSG, and are committed to only doing studies of high quality – that is those that are well designed and likely to give very useful results. 

Resources

• Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA)
• Pediatric Rheumatology Care & Outcomes Improvement Network (PR-COIN)
• Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG)

View Publications

Quality Improvement

In keeping with our mission, the Rheumatology section is actively engaged in measures to improve the care and outcomes of children with rheumatic diseases. Our team is leading the way in improving outcomes in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. We partner with national collaboratives such as PR-COIN. Further, we have made strides in improving vaccinations, screening for mental health, social determinants of health, and transition to adult care. Prevention of harm is another area of focus through improved screening for uveitis and hydroxychloroquine-related retinopathy, and prevention of pregnancy in adolescents on teratogenic medications. The team is supported by a quality data technician and Quality Improvement Specialists. Fellows can lead an independent quality improvement project during their training with appropriate data support.

• Nationwide Children's Hospital Impact and Quality
• Pediatric Rheumatology Care & Outcomes Improvement Network (PR-COIN)