Pediatric Rheumatology

The Pediatric Rheumatology Service is the medical specialty that cares for pediatric patients with a wide spectrum of disorders, both inflammatory and non inflammatory of muscle, connective tissue, blood vessels and skin. Many of them are felt to be caused by an aberrant activation of the immune system such that the affected tissues are injured by an inappropriate immune attack. Because the immune system is damaging itself, they are often called "autoimmune diseases."

The group of patients cared for by the NYU Pediatric Rheumatology Service consists of the full spectrum of pediatric rheumatology, including all subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (or JRA), pediatric SLE, juvenile dermatomyositis and other vasculitides, morphea and other scleroderma syndromes, acute rheumatic fever, post-viral arthritis, toxic synovitis, and others. The Pediatric Rheumatology Service encompasses a program serving three NYU Hospitals: Tisch Hospital, Rusk Institute, Hospital for Joint Diseases (HJD), and Bellevue Hospital. Pediatric Rheumatologists are available for inpatient consultations, and there are two weekly Pediatric Rheumatology clinics - one at HJD and one at Bellevue Hospital. These clinics have more than 500 patient visits per year.

The program at HJD is a collaborative program of The Center for Arthritis and Autoimmunity and The Center for Children (a comprehensive care center for children with orthopedic problems and/or disabilities which deals with a spectrum of disease from the chondrodysplasias to spina bifida to childhood osteopenias from multiple causes). Thus, there is an active and ongoing collaboration and cooperation with pediatric orthopedists, pediatric physiatrists (rehabilitation specialists) and pediatric physical and occupational therapists.

For more information about Pediatric Rheumatology, go to our Frequently Asked Questions.

For any other information or to make a consultation appointment, please contact our office at (212) 598-6516.

Kathleen A. Haines, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Medicine
Director, Pediatric Rheumatology

Herbert Lazarus, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics