The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at Tufts Medical Center provides comprehensive services for the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with arthritis and related inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Expertise in caring for children with rheumatic disease
Children are often referred to a Pediatric Rheumatologists by their doctor because of diverse and sometimes puzzling symptoms. Each year, our physicians see over 1,000 patients that have had persistent or frequent fevers, unusual rashes, joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, muscle weakness and other musculoskeletal problems.
We also see patients for evaluation and management of an array of complex medical conditions including Lyme arthritis, chronic unexplained musculoskeletal pain and abnormal laboratory tests, such as positive antinuclear antibodies.
Prompt evaluation and family-centered care
Simply put, every member of our team understands that children with rheumatic diseases benefit from timely evaluation and management. Each child referred to our division is seen by a board-certified pediatrician with subspecialty training in Pediatric Rheumatology. Other members of our multidisciplinary team include a clinical nurse specialist and a social worker.
We will create a comprehensive care plan for your child by working with you, your family pediatrician and your child’s school so that we can develop the best treatment plan according your child’s individual needs and medical condition.
A Pediatric Rheumatologist is always on call for emergency consultations. He or she can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the primary physician, the emergency physician, the patient or the patient’s caregivers. Inpatient facilities, including intensive care, are available for the expert management of seriously ill children.
Training and community involvement
Our satellite clinics let us provide care to kids in the community outside of downtown Boston. Currently, we provide Pediatric Rheumatology consultations in the following clinics:
With a nationwide shortage of specialists in Pediatric Rheumatology, our Division is proud of our continuing active role in training medical students, pediatric residents and pediatric and adult rheumatology fellows. Since 1995, the Division has trained more than 15 Pediatric Rheumatology fellows in its ACGME-certified training program.
For more information or appointments, call 617-636-7285.
