Rheumatology.

This article presents several studies related to rheumatology in children. Musculoskeletal problems are common in children and adolescents. In many cases symptoms are not volunteered. Performance of a competent musculoskeletol examination, with recognition of age-related variation, is essential for all clinicians caring for children and adolescents to facilitate prompt referral, diagnosis and management. Pediatric musculoskeletal examination is not a core requirement in most Great Britain medical schools and so clinicians may need to seek information from textbooks. There are no previously published large studies of childhood peripheral bone mineral density (BMD). This study was designed to produce data which could be used as a reference For children who have conditions known to alter BMD.