SPONDYLOARTHROPATHIES IN CHILDHOOD

The concept of spondyloarthropathies in childhood is emerging. It shou ld now be more easily recognized since more specific diagnostic criter ia are available for young patients. It probably accounts for about 20 % of the whole group of chronic arthritides seen in paediatric rheumat ology clinics. Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis stricto sensu is very r are in childhood. Most children who present with peripheral arthritis at onset meet the diagnostic criteria of undifferentiated spondyloarth ropathies such as those of the SEA syndrome, or those of the ESSG or A mor criteria. At follow-up, quite a large proportion of children may d evelop axial involvement. Psoriatic arthritis differs from the other s pondyloarthropathies with a different sex ratio, and an earlier onset. The role of immunogenetic, environmental and ethnic factors are impor tant for a better understanding of these diseases.