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Introduction: Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare entity in children. There is a paucity of studies on juvenile‐onset MCTD (jMCTD) worldwide especially from Southeast Asia. Objectives: To describe clinical and laboratory features of jMCTD diagnosed at pediatric rheumatology centers across India. Methods: A predesigned detailed case proforma in an excel format was prepared and was sent to all the Pediatric Rheumatology centers in India. Eleven centers provided the clinical and laboratory data of their jMCTD patients, which was then compiled and analyzed in detail. Results: Thirty‐one jMCTD patients from 11 centers were included in the study. Our cohort had 27 females and four male patients over 12 months (August 2021 to July 2022). The median age at presentation was 12 years (range 5–18 years) and the median duration of symptoms was 24 months at diagnosis (range 2–96 months). The common features included arthritis (90%), malar rash (70.9%), and Raynaud's phenomenon (70.9%). At a mean follow‐up of 43 months (range 1–168 months), 45% of them were in remission. There were two deaths reported, due to macrophage activation syndrome and sepsis respectively. Conclusion: We present the largest multicenter experience on jMCTD from the Indian subcontinent. The study's findings serve as a crucial stepping stone toward unraveling the complexities of jMCTD and improving patient care and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease. Rheumatic diseases are a major cause of chronic illness in children around the world. SLE is a further prevalent inflammatory illness. Aims and objectives. To study different growth parameters of Pediatric patients attending Pediatric Rheumatology clinic, to compare the growth parameters with age and sex matched Controls and to compare growth among different types of Pediatric rheumatic patients. Method. Different growth parameters and SMI (for children above 9 years) were recorded for patients attending Pediatric Rheumatology OPD having disease duration more than one year. Results. Among 121 patients, JIA was most common followed by SLE. Among JIA subtypes, SOJIA is most common. Mean age of presentation was earlier in SOJIA, late in JoAS. SLE patients had larger Duration of illness prior to diagnosis than JIA patients. In JIA patients, mean height was significantly less than controls. SOJIA and Polyarticular variety had significantly less weight and height compared to controls. SLE patients had significantly less weight and height compared to control. Anthropometric Parameters were significantly more in SLE patients compared to JIA cohort. There was significantly more delayed puberty both in JIA and SLE patients compared to controls. Conclusion. JIA was most common, followed by SLE. Among JIA patients SOJIA variety was most common, JIA patients had significantly lower height than Controls. SLE patients had significantly lower weight and height than Controls. Delayed Puberty was significantly more in both JIA and SLE patients compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Suparna. Guha, Gautam. Guha, Md Akhir. Hashmi Dear Sir, Fever of unknown origin remains a frequent problem in the pediatric population. Hypothalamic thermodysregulation is a probable cause of pyrexia [...]