Dr. Sivia Kerry Lapidus M.D.

Expert Publications

• Toward the development of criteria for global flares in juvenile systemic lupus
• Minimal clinically important differences of disease activity indices in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Clinical practice variation and need for pediatric-specific treatment guidelines among rheumatologists caring for children with ANCA-associated vasculitis: an international clinician survey.

Clinical Trials

• Observational Study of Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases: The CARRA Registry

Media Releases

Get to know Pediatric Rheumatologist Dr. Sivia Kerry Lapidus, who serves patients in Hackensack and Neptune, New Jersey.

As a practicing pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. Lapidus provides comprehensive and personalized care to children and adolescents with pediatric rheumatic diseases. With special interest and expertise in autoinflammatory diseases, she is leading multidisciplinary efforts to benefit patients with recurrent fever syndromes, autoinflammatory bone disease, vasculitis, lupus, pain, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

At present, she can be found on staff at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey & Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey.

The pediatric rheumatology physicians at Hackensack Meridian Health are dedicated to providing outstanding high quality, patient-centered care for all of their patients. They are actively involved in pediatric rheumatology research and education and are members and leaders of the North American pediatric rheumatology research network, Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA), which spans over 100 sites. Additionally, they are active supporters of the Arthritis Foundation (AF).

Back in the early days of her academic career, Dr. Lapidus obtained her medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in 2003. Her internship and residency in pediatrics followed at Schneider Children’s Hospital, now Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, New York (2003-2006). 

Wanting to further her training, she completed a fellowship in pediatric rheumatology at The Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University/ Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware (2006-2009). She also completed a pediatric rheumatology and research fellowship through the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (2007-2009), where she did translational research in periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA).

Simultaneously, as a Guest Researcher at the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health, she continues to pursue her research interests in the pathogenesis, treatment, and genetics of auto-inflammatory disorders with a focus on PFAPA. As leader of the CARRA PFAPA Work Group and co-leader of the Kawasaki Disease Work Group, she has worked in multi-center, collaborative efforts to standardize treatments.

Attributing her success to the inspiration she has drawn from her patients, colleagues, and mentors, Dr. Lapidus is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric rheumatology by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The mission of the ABP is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

Upholding a steadfast commitment to the ethical and professional standards of her practice, she has conducted various articles and publications relating to her line of work. In order to ensure patient satisfaction in all facets of her work, she remains a member of the American College of Rheumatology (Fellow), the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatism Research Alliance, and the New Jersey Rheumatology Association. 

Pediatric rheumatology is a specialized field of medicine that treats children who suffer from pain in the musculoskeletal system and autoimmune disorders, the majority of which cause inflammation. Pediatric rheumatologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat conditions such as: autoimmune disorders, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, post-infectious arthritis, and chronic vasculitis; inflammatory disorders of the muscle, eye or other organs; unexplained chronic musculoskeletal pain, weakness, poor appetite, fatigue, and/or loss of function or skills; and unexplained symptoms such as a fever that won’t go away, anemia, rash, weight loss or joint swelling.

Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Lapidus enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing the piano, and reading. Her favorite professional publications include The New England Journal of Medicine and the journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology.

In addition to English, she speaks French.

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