AREAS OF FOCUS

Pediatric Rheumatology

Pediatric rheumatology is the branch of medicine that cares for children and teenagers with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In these conditions, the immune system drives inflammation that can affect the joints, skin, muscles, blood vessels, and internal organs. Some are common in childhood, while others are rare. The field also includes less familiar conditions such as scleroderma, Sjögren’s syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease. Many begin with signs that are easy to mistake for growing pains, an allergy, or a passing infection. Care often involves a team, with pediatric rheumatology working alongside specialists such as nephrology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. These diseases can affect a child’s growth and development, and early, accurate diagnosis changes their course. With modern treatment, most children go on to live full, active lives.

Explore

Juvenile Arthritis →

Juvenile arthritis is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children, an autoimmune and inflammatory condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.

Juvenile Dermatomyositis →

Juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease that causes a distinctive skin rash and gradual weakening of the large muscles in the thighs and shoulders.

Autoinflammatory Syndromes →

Autoinflammatory syndromes cause recurring episodes of fever and inflammation, often on a predictable rhythm, with the child feeling well between episodes.

Pediatric Vasculitis →

Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels, and in children, it includes conditions ranging from mild and short-lived to serious and urgent.

Pediatric Lupus →

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body at once, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs.

How Dr. Shulman approaches it

Dr. Shulman is Division Chief and Medical Director of Pediatric Rheumatology at Rady Children’s Health Orange County (formerly CHOC), where he cares for children and teens living with autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Autoinflammatory disease is central to his work as a physician-scientist, and colleagues also refer young patients whose symptoms remain undiagnosed. He starts with the premise that an accurate diagnosis shapes the entire course of care, and much of his work involves helping families understand a diagnosis they never expected to hear. These conditions have also shaped how he thinks and writes about pain and illness in his forthcoming book, Cramp: A Doctor’s Notes on Pain.

For appointments or clinical questions, please contact Rady Children’s Health Orange County (formerly CHOC).