Paediatric Rheumatology

Our paediatric rheumatology service cares for children and teenagers with conditions that cause inflammation of the joints, muscles or connective tissues. We diagnose and manage these conditions and stay involved throughout the months or years that treatment may take, including supporting the transition from paediatric to adult rheumatology services at our hospitals and clinics across the UAE.

What is paediatric rheumatology?

Paediatric rheumatology looks after children and teenagers under 18 with conditions where the immune system causes lasting inflammation, most often in the joints but sometimes in the muscles, skin or blood vessels. The most common is juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which causes ongoing inflammation in the joints and can sometimes affect the eyes. Because it's a long-term disease, the specialist monitors it over the years and adjusts the treatment accordingly. Unlike paediatric orthopaedics, which treats injury and mechanical bone problems, rheumatology deals with inflammation the body causes itself.

When should you see a paediatric rheumatologist?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• Non-traumatic joint pain and/or swelling that lasts more than a few weeks
• Stiffness that is worse in the morning or after rest
• A limp, or a child avoiding activities they used to enjoy
• A fever that keeps returning, sometimes with a rash
• Ongoing tiredness, or joints that feel warm to the touch
• Painful, red eyes that persist even after assessment by an ophthalmologist

Many children are first seen after a paediatrician or family doctor notices a swollen joint or an abnormal blood test. In the UAE, you'll usually need a referral to see a paediatric rheumatologist. If your child already has juvenile arthritis and develops a red, painful eye that is sensitive to light, treat it as urgent and seek same-day eye care. Inflammation inside the eye can be silent until sight is affected.

What to expect

Your first visit is mostly a conversation and an examination. The specialist asks how the symptoms began and how they affect daily life, then checks each joint for swelling, warmth and movement. Blood tests to measure inflammation, and often an ultrasound scan of the affected joints, help confirm what's happening. If juvenile arthritis is likely, your child will also have their eyes checked for early inflammation.

Treatment depends on the diagnosis and how many joints are affected. Many children start with anti-inflammatory medicines, while those with active disease may need treatments that calm the immune system, including biologics. Because these affect the whole body, your child has regular check-ups and blood tests to keep treatment safe. Physiotherapy keeps joints moving, and a steroid injection can settle a troublesome joint. The specialist agrees the plan with you.

Paediatric rheumatology at Mediclinic

We provide paediatric rheumatology as part of our children's health services, at our hospitals and clinics across the UAE. Because these conditions are long-term, the same specialist can follow your child as they grow, adjusting treatment as their symptoms change.

Children with juvenile arthritis also have regular eye checks for inflammation. As these are chronic conditions that can change over time, your child will be reviewed regularly, with the aim of achieving remission as early as possible. Keeping inflammation under control helps prevent long-term damage to growing joints and supports your child in staying active and keeping up with school.