This report of a consensus conference on pediatric rheumatology deals with the complex nature of rheumatological conditions of children, which require diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up services for comprehensive care and demand the cooperation of medical, health, education, mental health, and social service professionals. Conference recommendations are presented in the areas of: networking; research; team care financing; community-based family-centered care; legislative advocacy; data collection and database development; and training for physicians, allied health professionals, and patients. The report includes a form for collecting data about pediatric rheumatology patients for a computerized database; and guidelines for pediatric rheumatology fellowship programs, prepared by Deborah Welt Kredich and approved by the Executive Council of the Pediatric Rheumatology Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Closing comments are provided by Susan Hurwitch and Frank Donivan. (JDD)