Since 2003, the pediatric rheumatologists at the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research have seen more than 100 children with chronic vasculitis. Vasculitis is a broad term which describes a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. There are many types of vasculitis, with Kawasaki Disease and Henoch-Schönlein Purpura being the two most common forms of vasculitis in children. Other vasculitides like Takayasu’s Arteritis, Wegener’s Granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, polyarteritis nodosa, Behçet’s disease, and Churg-Strauss syndrome may also occur in children. Symptoms and signs vary by disease but most children with vasculitis have persistent, unexplained fevers, weight loss, malaise, and signs of gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, musculoskeletal or skin inflammation. Because of their rarity, these cases may go unrecognized for years. If left untreated, vasculitis can result in significant morbidity and mortality.
The chronic childhood-onset vasculitides, including Takayasu’s arteritis, Wegener’s Granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, polyarteritis nodosa, Churg-Strauss, and primary central nervous system vasculitis, are extremely rare in children, an occur in less than 1 per million children every year. Over the last 5 years, the pediatric rheumatologists at the Center for Vasculitis Care and Research have seen more than 100 children with chronic vasculitis and have worked as part of a multidisciplinary team to provided these patients with world class care.
