Rheumatology
- Transitioning to adult rheumatology care

Transitioning to adult rheumatology care

The transition from pediatric care to adult care for your rheumatologic condition will play a crucial role in your health and in how you manage your health care for the rest of your life.

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For all requests:

1-888-573-5437

Making the move to adult care is a complex process for patients who have a chronic condition. Without a plan for that move, you have a higher risk of poor health.

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Rheumatology Transitional Clinic is dedicated to making the transition to adult care as seamless as possible for you and your family so that you can continue to receive the care you need to stay in your best health.

Support for young adults taking ownership of their rheumatologic care

Most young adults with rheumatologic conditions make the transition to adult care between ages 18 and 24, at the same time that they’re taking on important new responsibilities related to school, work, and social life.

Our rheumatology transitional clinic prepares you to manage your health care responsibly, right alongside your other priorities, so that you can enjoy this exciting new phase of your life in the best possible health, with a long-term plan for your care.

We help you:

Find a new care team that specializes in your condition
Navigate the health care system so that you can be confident as you take ownership of your condition

Guidance for addressing reproductive concerns unique to rheumatologic conditions

As pediatric rheumatology patients move into adulthood, they often struggle to find reliable information about their reproductive health and the possibility of starting a family.

Questions include:

What effects can medication have on my fertility?
What risks could my condition or my treatment add during pregnancy?
Will taking care of young children create new challenges when managing my condition?

We help you address those concerns by providing direction on how to choose qualified experts for your reproductive care and on how to find the authoritative answers you need as you start a family.