Laboratory Evaluation in Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases.

Pediatric autoimmune diseases are chronic lifelong disorders associated with potential disability and increased morbidity and mortality if not properly recognized and treated. On the basis of largely expert opinion in addition to observational studies, children with suspected autoimmune disease should undergo general laboratory and autoantibody screening. (1)(2)(4)(6)(7)(11) There can be many causes of positive antinuclear antibody test results, including, but not limited to, autoimmune disease. On the basis of expert opinion and observational studies, a thorough history and physical examination as well as laboratory evaluation is recommended (often in consultation with a pediatric rheumatologist) to elucidate the cause for a positive test result. (4) (6)(11)