Pediatric clinics of North America
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Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Oct 1986
Physical and occupational therapy for children with rheumatic diseases.
Total management of rheumatic disorders of children includes antiinflammatory drugs, active therapy, maintenance of ADLs, and attention to the psychosocial development of the child. This article focuses on the role that physical and occupational therapists play in the management of children with arthritis. The complexity of the problems of these children necessitates a multidisciplinary team approach, with professionals who are committed to helping the child lead as normal a life as possible. This objective can be accomplished only by teaching families and school personnel how to manage the child's daily therapeutic needs.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an uncommon childhood illness that is characterized by the formation of autoantibodies and immune complexes, which mediate inflammatory responses in multiple organ systems. Children who develop SLE are frequently very ill at the time of presentation and need careful evaluation to determine which organ systems are involved and how severely, meticulous control of medications to suppress active disease, and close monitoring to avoid complications from both the disease and its treatment.