RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 How to use autoantibodies in suspected paediatric rheumatic disease
JF Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition
JO Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 236
OP 241
DO 10.1136/archdischild-2021-323212
VO 107
IS 4
A1 Jaclyn Keightley
A1 Jo Walsh
A1 Ruth M Bland
YR 2022
UL http://ep.bmj.com/content/107/4/236.abstract
AB Autoantibodies can be an important indicator of paediatric rheumatic disease and useful in establishing a diagnosis. However, autoantibodies may be requested in cases where the patient does not have clinical features strongly suggestive of a rheumatic disease. This can lead to further unnecessary investigations, specialist referral and undue anxiety for the family. The aim of this article is to provide guidance for when it is appropriate to request autoantibodies, which ones to perform and how to interpret the results.