BACKGROUND: There has been a lack of appropriate classification criteria for vasculitis in children. OBJECTIVE: To develop a widely accepted general classification for the vasculitides observed in children and specific and realistic classification criteria for common childhood vasculitides (Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), Kawasaki disease (KD), childhood polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), and Takayasu arteritis (TA)). METHODS: The project was divided into two phases: (1) the Delphi technique was used to gather opinions from a wide spectrum of paediatric rheumatologists and nephrologists; (2) a consensus conference using nominal group technique was held. Ten international experts, all paediatricians, met for the consensus conference. Agreement of at least 80% of the participants was defined as consensus. RESULTS: Consensus was reached to base the general working classification for childhood vasculitides on vessel size. The small vessel disease was further subcategorised into "granulomatous" and "non-granulomatous." Final criteria were developed to classify a child as HSP, KD, childhood PAN, WG, or TA, with changes introduced based on paediatric experience. Mandatory criteria were suggested for all diseases except WG. CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that the suggested criteria will be widely accepted around the world because of the reliable techniques used and the international and multispecialist composition of the expert group involved.
BACKGROUND: There has been a lack of appropriate classification criteria for vasculitis in children. OBJECTIVE: To develop a widely accepted general classification for the vasculitides observed in children and specific and realistic classification criteria for common childhood vasculitides (Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), Kawasaki disease (KD), childhood polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), and Takayasu arteritis (TA)). METHODS: The project was divided into two phases: (1) the Delphi technique was used to gather opinions from a wide spectrum of paediatric rheumatologists and nephrologists; (2) a consensus conference using nominal group technique was held. Ten international experts, all paediatricians, met for the consensus conference. Agreement of at least 80% of the participants was defined as consensus. RESULTS: Consensus was reached to base the general working classification for childhood vasculitides on vessel size. The small vessel disease was further subcategorised into "granulomatous" and "non-granulomatous." Final criteria were developed to classify a child as HSP, KD, childhood PAN, WG, or TA, with changes introduced based on paediatric experience. Mandatory criteria were suggested for all diseases except WG. CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that the suggested criteria will be widely accepted around the world because of the reliable techniques used and the international and multispecialist composition of the expert group involved.
Authors: Seza Ozen; Jordi Anton; Nil Arisoy; Aysin Bakkaloglu; Nesrin Besbas; Paul Brogan; Julia García-Consuegra; Pavla Dolezalova; Frank Dressler; Ali Duzova; Virgínia Paes Leme Ferriani; Maria Odete Esteves Hilário; Mercedes Ibáñez-Rubio; Ozgur Kasapcopur; Wietse Kuis; Thomas J A Lehman; Dana Nemcova; Susan Nielsen; Sheila Knupp Oliveira; Kenneth Schikler; Flavio Sztajnbok; Maria Teresa Terreri; Francesco Zulian; Patricia Woo Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: Nicolino Ruperto; Angelo Ravelli; Kevin J Murray; Daniel J Lovell; Boel Andersson-Gare; Brian M Feldman; Stella Garay; Wietse Kuis; Claudia Machado; Lauren Pachman; Anne-Marie Prieur; Lisa G Rider; Earl Silverman; Elena Tsitsami; Pat Woo; Edward H Giannini; Alberto Martini Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford) Date: 2003-06-27 Impact factor: 7.580
Authors: J S Smolen; V Strand; M Cardiel; S Edworthy; D Furst; D Gladman; C Gordon; D A Isenberg; J H Klippel; M Petri; L Simon; P Tugwell; F Wolfe Journal: J Rheumatol Date: 1999-02 Impact factor: 4.666
Authors: R W Lightfoot; B A Michel; D A Bloch; G G Hunder; N J Zvaifler; D J McShane; W P Arend; L H Calabrese; R Y Leavitt; J T Lie Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 1990-08