Pediatria pre prax 2/2009

The safety issues of anti-TNF therapy in paediatric rheumatology

The efficacy of anti-TNF therapy in patients with polyarticular form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis resistant to standard treatment has been proven in many published studies. However, there are still ongoing concerns about the safety issues of such therapy. Authors of this review summarize the published data and their own clinical experience with anti-TNF therapy in children, its safety and most commonly seen complications. The cooperation between paediatric rheumatologist and primary care physician is needed in following-up patients on anti-TNF therapy.

Keywords: anti-TNF therapy, paediatric rheumatology.