ABP Pediatric Rheumatology study plan

Distinguish innate from adaptive immune mechanisms and map each major cytokine pathway (IL-1, IL-6, TNF, type I interferon, JAK-STAT) to the biologic class that targets it

Classify the ILAR subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and list the characteristic age of onset, joint pattern, and expected laboratory findings for each

Construct a stepwise treatment ladder for oligoarticular, polyarticular, and systemic JIA, including when to escalate and how uveitis screening intervals differ by subtype

Interpret ANA, RF, anti-CCP, and HLA-B27 by pretest probability rather than as stand-alone tests, and explain why a positive ANA in a well child has low predictive value

Identify the JIA complications that change management (macrophage activation syndrome, chronic anterior uveitis, leg-length discrepancy, cervical spine involvement) and state the early warning signs of each

Apply the 2019 EULAR/ACR SLE classification criteria to three written pediatric vignettes and justify the score item by item

Interpret complement levels, anti-dsDNA titers, and urinalysis in a child with suspected lupus, and explain discordance between serology and clinical activity

Outline the ISN/RPS lupus nephritis classes and the standard induction and maintenance approach for proliferative disease

Compare childhood-onset SLE with adult-onset disease in organ involvement, damage accrual, and treatment intensity

Recognize the clinical triad and characteristic findings of juvenile dermatomyositis (Gottron papules, heliotrope rash, nailfold capillary changes, calcinosis) and select the confirmatory tests

Differentiate anti-MDA5 from anti-TIF1-gamma and anti-NXP2 antibody phenotypes in terms of lung disease, malignancy risk, and calcinosis

Distinguish juvenile localized scleroderma from systemic sclerosis and specify the screening tests for interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension

Apply the classification approach to Sjogren disease and mixed connective tissue disease in children, including which antibody profiles define each

Design a monitoring schedule for a child on chronic immunosuppression for a connective tissue disease, covering pulmonary function, echocardiography, growth, and bone health

Classify childhood vasculitides by vessel size using the Chapel Hill nomenclature and the pediatric-specific (EULAR/PRINTO/PRES) criteria

Distinguish Kawasaki disease from other febrile vasculitides and state the IVIG plus aspirin regimen and the coronary artery surveillance timeline

Compare IgA vasculitis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, and Takayasu arteritis in presenting features, first-line therapy, and relapse monitoring

Interpret ANCA testing (PR3 vs MPO, immunofluorescence vs ELISA) in the context of clinical pretest probability

Select the imaging study of choice for suspected large-vessel vasculitis and explain the limitations of each modality

Differentiate PFAPA, familial Mediterranean fever, TRAPS, CAPS, and DADA2 by fever periodicity, duration, associated symptoms, and ethnic/geographic risk

Interpret genetic testing for autoinflammatory disease, including low-penetrance variants and variants of uncertain significance, and explain when genetic results should not drive treatment

Recognize macrophage activation syndrome in a child with systemic JIA or lupus using clinical and laboratory criteria and state the initial treatment

Build a differential for infections that mimic rheumatic disease (parvovirus B19, Lyme, tuberculosis, Epstein-Barr virus, septic arthritis, endocarditis) and identify the discriminating features

Identify primary immunodeficiency red flags that overlap with rheumatic presentations (CVID, IgA deficiency, chronic granulomatous disease) and state the vaccine safety implications

Select and sequence laboratory tests for suspected rheumatic disease, explaining sensitivity, specificity, and the cost of indiscriminate panel ordering

Compare radiography, ultrasound, and MRI for detecting synovitis and bone marrow edema in children, and state which is preferred for each clinical question

Perform and interpret synovial fluid analysis to separate septic, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory arthritis

Distinguish benign non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions (growing pains, hypermobility spectrum, Osgood-Schlatter, chronic pain amplification, complex regional pain syndrome) from inflammatory arthritis

List red flags that mandate urgent workup for malignancy, infection, or bone disease in a child presenting with limb pain or refusal to walk

Compare mechanism, dosing, monitoring parameters, and major toxicities for methotrexate, anti-TNF agents, abatacept, tocilizumab, IL-1 blockers, and JAK inhibitors

Design a pretreatment and on-treatment safety monitoring plan covering tuberculosis screening, hepatitis B, vaccination status, and live-vaccine avoidance on immunosuppression

Counsel a family on glucocorticoid toxicity and a steroid-sparing taper strategy using evidence-based tapering principles

Select functional assessment tools (CHAQ, JAMAR grip strength, 6-minute walk) and explain how to interpret change scores in a clinical trial or clinic visit

Develop a transition plan for an adolescent moving to adult care using a transition-readiness assessment, school accommodations, and psychosocial screening

Reattempt every previously missed question and write a corrected rationale for each

Complete a timed 60-question cumulative examination under exam conditions and analyze errors by domain

Rank personal weak domains by error density and build a targeted two-week remediation schedule for each

Consolidate high-yield discriminators (antibody-disease pairs, fever patterns, drug toxicities) into a single review sheet