Common rheumatological disorders encountered in pediatric practice are juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Kawasaki disease, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic uveitis and juvenile dermatomyositis. Diagnosis of these disorders requires a critical appraisal of the clinical history, physical examination and relevant investigations. Laboratory tests are helpful for screening purposes as also for confirmation of diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity. These tests should, however, only be ordered after due deliberation and in the context of clinical findings in a given patient.