If your child experiences symptoms like joint pain, swelling or frequent illnesses, they could have an immune disorder or a rheumatic condition, like arthritis.
Your First Visit with a Pediatric Immunologist
At the first appointment, we'll ask your child's symptoms. Your doctor will then perform a thorough physical exam and go over your child's medical history. This visit usually takes about 30 minutes.
Testing
Your doctor might order lab or imaging tests to gather more information before diagnosing your child's illness. The best way to tell if your child has an immune-medicated condition is through blood tests, such as:
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) test
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Immunoglobulin antibody testing
Pediatric Primary Immune Deficiency
If your child's newborn screening identifies a genetic defect, they may have recurring or rare infections later in life. your child will get a referral to one of our doctors for more testing. If there is a definitive diagnosis of an immune deficiency, our team is prepared to provide appropriate treatments.