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Vasculitis in Children

And Other Inflammatory Blood Disorders

View Vasculitis in Adults

Children with vasculitis need ongoing care from a team of specialists. Early identification of the autoimmune disease and effective treatment are key to minimizing damage to vital organs, including the kidneys, heart, and lungs. Our pediatric rheumatologists work alongside other specialists to relieve your child's symptoms, prevent organ damage from vasculitis, and bring the disease into remission.

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Experience Is Key to Identifying Vasculitis in Children

Vasculitis causes inflammation of blood vessels that may impact the flow of blood to organs. Its vague symptoms -- fatigue, skin rashes, fevers, and other common childhood complaints -- makes vasculitis difficult to diagnose. Its effects can be severe, including damage to the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Duke pediatric rheumatologists are experts at differentiating between vasculitis and medical conditions with similar symptoms. We treat children with a wide range of inflammatory blood vessel disorders, including Henoch-Schönlein purpura, Kawasaki disease, Takayasu arteritis, and ANCA-associated vasculitis (including microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis).

While vasculitis can be a lifelong condition, it can be controlled through ongoing management. As your child grows, we help transition his or her care to an adult rheumatologist.

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Duke Health offers locations throughout the Triangle. Find one near you.

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Diagnosing Vasculitis

An accurate diagnosis is essential for prompt, effective treatment. Discussing your child’s medical history and completing a physical exam is the first step. Additional tests may be necessary to help rule out other illnesses, determine which blood vessels are affected, and assess whether certain organs have been impacted or are at risk. If these tests identify the potential for damage to vital organs or other medical concerns, we work with specialists throughout Duke to coordinate your child's care. As a result, your child's team may include pediatric cardiologists, dermatologists, pulmonologists, kidney disease specialists, and others when necessary.

Blood and Urine Tests

These help detect the presence of inflammation and organ damage.

Biopsies

While your child is under general or local anesthesia, a small piece of tissue is removed for examination under a microscope to inspect the blood vessels and help determine whether your child has vasculitis. Biopsies are usually performed as outpatient surgery, which means your child should be able to go home the same day.

Imaging Tests

CT, MRI, or X-ray scans can rule out tumors, infections, and other medical concerns. They also show whether vasculitis is harming specific blood vessels or organs. These tests can take from 15 minutes to an hour and are virtually painless.

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Treatments

The primary treatments for vasculitis are medications that help slow or stop disease progression. Your child may need one or more drugs to prevent inflammation, control the body's immune response, relieve symptoms, and treat complications.

Corticosteroids

Steroids like prednisone can suppress the immune system. They may be prescribed to quickly reduce inflammation. They require careful monitoring to avoid long-term side effects.

Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

These medicines, including mexothrexate and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), are sometimes called steroid-sparing drugs and also suppress the immune system. They offer many of the benefits of corticosteroids with fewer side effects but can take longer to work.

Biologics

Biologic drugs target specific parts of the immune system. Certain biologics, including rituximab and tocilizumab, are increasingly being used to treat vasculitis.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg)

Certain types of vasculitis, including Kawasaki disease, respond well to IVIg, a blood product that contains antibodies (immunoglobulins) from many healthy donors. This medication might be prescribed for a one-time treatment or more frequently if necessary.

Surgery

Surgery is rare but may be necessary if certain complications are present.

Clinical Trials at Duke

Your child may be eligible for cutting-edge treatment through our active clinical trials.

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Why Choose Duke

A Multidisciplinary Team of Pediatric Specialists

Alongside your pediatric rheumatologist, your child benefits from a coordinated team that includes cardiology, dermatology, pulmonology, nephrology, physical and occupational therapy, mental health, social work, child life, and nutrition -- working together to manage the disease and its complications.

Transition to Adult Care

Adolescents take part in a structured transition program that builds self-care skills and coordinates the eventual transfer of care to an adult rheumatologist.

Consistently Ranked Among the Nation's Best Children's Hospitals

Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center is proud to be nationally ranked in 9 pediatric specialties.

This page was medically reviewed on 09/16/2026 by

Lauren Tam Covert, MD | Pediatric Rheumatologist