“Positive ANA” is one of the most common reasons for referral to the pediatric rheumatology clinic. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) is often mistakenly considered a good screening test for rheumatic disease.
Dr. Ashley Cooper, Interim Division Director of Pediatric Rheumatology, discusses what it means when a child has a positive anti-nuclear antibody test, when ANA should be checked, and how to talk about the test results with the family.