Improving the Diagnosis, Treatment and Understanding of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease of childhood and a leading cause of pain, disability, and reduced quality of life worldwide. JIA is characterized by inflammation of the joints, which in children is often difficult to detect using physical examination alone due to the developing skeleton and variability in symptoms. Even in experienced hands, clinical assessment may not reliably capture the presence, extent, or severity of joint inflammation, highlighting the need for more objective tools to guide diagnosis and treatment.
The overall mission of our lab is to improve outcomes for children with JIA by developing precise, objective methods to detect and monitor joint inflammation and to guide personalized treatment decisions. We focus on integrating advanced imaging, clinical features, and biologic markers to better understand disease activity and treatment responses in children with inflammatory arthritis.
Dr. Vega-Fernandez’s research centers on advancing the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) as a noninvasive, radiation-free, and child-friendly imaging tool for the evaluation of arthritis. Her lab leads efforts to standardize and validate pediatric-specific ultrasound acquisition protocols and scoring systems to accurately assess the presence and severity of joint inflammation in children with JIA. In parallel, the lab integrates ultrasound findings with clinical characteristics and biologic markers through translational research studies to better define disease biology, improve risk stratification, and inform timely and effective treatment strategies.
Through this work, the lab aims to move pediatric rheumatology care beyond subjective assessment toward more objective, biology-informed, and personalized approaches that help children feel better, stay active, and live healthier lives.
