Update on antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody vasculitis in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is often organ- or life-threatening in children and impacts them during important periods of psychosocial and physical development. This review covers recent advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of AAV in children and highlights the ongoing need for funding and increased research collaboration. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent work has improved our understanding of AAV disease pathogenesis, potentially identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Collaborative clinical studies have also highlighted the variable manifestations in children and identified potential factors associated with poorer outcomes. Consensus-based treatment guidelines are also appearing, but clinical trials are still essential to better understanding treatment efficacy and safety in children affected by AAV. New, validated outcome measures, including those that are patient-reported, will facilitate these much-needed clinical trials in pediatric AAV. SUMMARY: There is a continued need for more rigorous study in pediatric AAV, however, there is certainly excitement with the increase in recent research relevant to the pediatric population.

Needs Assessment of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training in North American Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Programs.

OBJECTIVE: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is widely used in adult rheumatology practice for diagnosis of arthritis and procedural guidance; however, it is not yet common practice in pediatric rheumatology. MSUS is advantageous to the pediatric population because it lacks radiation and eliminates need for sedation. This study aims to assess interest in, access to, and barriers to MSUS training in pediatric rheumatology fellowship programs in North America. METHODS: A survey was developed by pediatric rheumatology providers with experience in medical and/or MSUS education and distributed via REDCap anonymously in March 2022 (Supplementary Material). Eligible participants included current and recently graduated (<1 year) pediatric rheumatology fellows at a North American program. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses using design-based Pearson chi-squared tests were performed. RESULTS: Overall response rate was 78% (88/113), and 75% reported some form of MSUS training during fellowship. Only 36% indicated their program had a formal MSUS curriculum. Of those with MSUS training, 23% reported adult-only MSUS education. Eighty-four percent felt MSUS would be beneficial to their career. Major barriers to MSUS training included lack of MSUS-trained faculty, lack of time, and lack of hands-on MSUS sessions. Those who had access to MSUS training were significantly more interested in MSUS than those without (P = 0.0036). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that North American pediatric rheumatology fellows have a strong interest in learning MSUS, but they face significant challenges in accessing MSUS training (lack of MSUS-trained faculty, time, and access to hands-on training). MSUS should be incorporated into fellowship curriculum; however, implementation remains a challenge.