An Overview of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis means "joint inflammation" and refers to a group of diseases that cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of motion in the joints. Children can develop almost all
types of arthritis that affect adults; however, the most common type of arthritis that affects children is juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than six weeks in a child of 16 years of age or younger. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness in the joints, although many children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis do not complain of joint pain. Any joint can be affected, and inflammation may limit the mobility of affected joints. One type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the internal organs.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is also known as juvenile arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Who Gets Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 30,000 to 60,000 children in the United States. It is more common in girls than boys and can affect any joint.
What Causes Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Doctors and scientists do not know the exact cause or
causes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. They do know that it is an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the body mistakenly identifies some of its own cells and tissues as foreign. Researchers do not know why the immune system turns against itself. At this point, arthritis research scientists think that the cause of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Doctors classify cases of juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis into different types by the number of joints involved, the symptoms that develop, and the presence or absence of certain antibodies (special proteins made by the immune system) found by a blood test. These classifications help healthcare providers determine how the disease will progress and whether the internal organs or skin is affected.
The three different types of juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis are:
- Pauciarticular (affecting four or fewer joints)
- Polyarticular (affecting five or more joints)
- Systemic (affecting the whole body).
Symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
In general, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is not a lifelong condition; symptoms usually get better after several months or years. During this time, there may be periods when the juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are better or disappear (remissions) and times when symptoms are worse (flare-ups).
In general, juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis symptoms may include one or several of the following:
- Joint swelling and pain
- Decreased range of motion within the affected joints
- Problems of growth and development
- Spiking fevers
- Unexplained rash
- Inflammation within other organs, such as the heart or eyes.
By identifying the type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis involved in an individual's case, healthcare providers will have a better idea of what to expect and will be better able to address possible complications that may occur.
To help diagnose juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis and to rule out other conditions, healthcare providers use a variety of tools. These include:
- A medical history
- A physical examination
- Laboratory tests
- X-rays.
Before making a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the healthcare provider will also consider other conditions that share a number of symptoms with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Some of these conditions include:
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Healthcare providers use a variety of approaches to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. These approaches are used in different combinations and at different times during the course of the disease, and are chosen according to the patient's individual situation.
The main goals of juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis treatment are to preserve a high level of physical and social functioning and maintain a good quality of life. To achieve these goals, healthcare providers recommend treatments to:
- Reduce swelling
- Maintain full movement in the affected joint
- Relieve pain
- Identify, treat, and prevent complications.
In order to achieve these goals, most children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis need medication, physical therapy, and exercise.
Medications used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Corticosteroids
- Biologic response modifiers, such as etanercept (Enbrel®).
It is possible that the healthcare provider may have to try several medicines before finding the one that works best for your child's particular situation.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print