Winter 2020 (Volume 30, Number 4)
Pediatrics Committee News
By Ronald M. Laxer, MDCM, FRCPC
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The CRA Pediatrics Committee, comprised of all CRA
pediatric rheumatologists and trainees, is a large,
diverse and active community within the CRA. The
COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all in myriad ways,
and I am proud of how our members responded by educating
their colleagues on COVID-related hyperinflammation
in the pediatric population through hosting a CRA webinar,
as well as collaborating with the Canadian Pediatrics
Society on a Practice Point to assist pediatric colleagues
with the diagnosis and initial management of patients with
possible pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome
(PIMS)/multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
(MIS-C).
Despite the personal and professional challenges posed
during this ongoing pandemic, our dedicated committee
members still managed to make significant headway on many
of our 2020 goals, including development of the following:
- Uveitis Guidelines, led by Drs. Deb Levy and Bobbi
Berard with the help of CRA pediatric members, ophthalmologists
and patient/family representatives. The
group is working through an “adolopment”1 process
of the ACR Uveitis Guidelines, published in 2019, to
provide a Canadian context and incorporate patient
values, preferences and equity. The goal is to publish a
manuscript by year’s end with endorsement from both
the CRA and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society.
- Pediatric Choosing Wisely Recommendations, led by
Dr. Nadia Luca and a working group comprised of pediatric
rheumatologists and patient/parent representatives.
After completing three rounds of Delphi Surveys
and identifying the top 15 items for consideration, a
survey was sent to CRA members to rate their agreement
with and the impact of each item. Once the data and
literature review are concluded, a manuscript will be
submitted with the top five recommendations.
Keep an eye out for these publications as well as updates
on other pediatric initiatives, to be highlighted in a future
CRAJ article.
We also want to extend our warmest wishes to Janet Ellsworth
on the occasion of her retirement. Janet has been a
giant in our field, having created successful academic programs
in both Halifax and Edmonton, and has left a wonderful
legacy. We wish her safe travels on her new journey!
To close, I would like to leave you with a photo of those
members who attended the Pediatric Committee meeting
at the 2020 CRA Annual Scientific Meeting in beautiful
Victoria, BC. Little did we know it would be
our last in-person event! Thanks to all for your hard work
and leadership.
Pediatrics Committee members at the last in-person meeting
in Victoria, BC, in February 2020.
Reference:
1. The “GRADE-ADOLOPMENT” approach to guideline production combines adoption, adaptation,
and, as needed, de novo development of recommendations. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2016.09.009
Ronald M. Laxer, MDCM, FRCPC
Chair, CRA Pediatrics Committee
Professor,
Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine,
University of Toronto
Staff Rheumatologist,
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario
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