Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, also known as Juvenile Arthritis,   Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Childhood Arthritis and Juvenile Chronic Arthritis.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 1 in 1,000 children under the age of 16 in the United States. The hallmarks are pain, stiffness and swelling that last longer than six weeks and are not caused by an injury or another illness. Although the arthritis may initially present itself after an injury or illness these are not the cause.

The 3 most significant forms of Juvenile Arthritis are, [Pauciarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis], [Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis] and [Systemic-onset Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis].

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is often a persistent condition, and the exact symptoms and the severity of the symptoms differ from child to child. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect every child and adolescent differently.

In addition, the pain and discomfort experienced, as well as the joints affected, can change on a daily and even hourly basis.

Few children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis have many outward signs of the condition but this does not mean that all are free from pain or fatigue.

Everyday tasks such as tying shoelaces, sending text messages, learning a musical instrument, turning on a tap, and even carrying school books can prove extremely difficult for some children who suffer from severe Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Factors

Girls are more likely to develop Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis than boys, and although it can occur at any time, it most commonly develops in children between the ages of 2 and 6. In most cases, there appears to be no family history of the condition, and no genetic link has yet been identified.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - causes

There is no known cause of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and in most cases, there appears to be no genetic or family history link for the condition.  The how is known - the immune system of the sufferer begins to attack healthy tissue. The why is a mystery. 

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - diagnosis

There is no single symptom or test to diagnose Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Physicians will use blood tests and x-rays to rule out other illnesses such as rheumatic fever, and to gauge the extent of the disease as they plan treatment. The most qualified physicians to treat arthritis in children are rheumatologists. These are physicians who have had more years of special education and testing to diagnose and treat diseases that cause inflammation in joints, muscles and other tissues. 

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - treatment

Pauciarticular Arthritis

Pauciarticular arthritis is the most common accounting for approximately ½ of the cases diagnosed. In this arthritis the inflammation usually affects four joints or less, affects girls more than boys and is diagnosed under the age of four. Children with Pauciarticular arthritis can also develop inflammation in the eyes (uveitis) which leads to blindness if not treated.

Pauciarticular arthritis responds well to natural remedies such as Omega 3 fatty acids, which may decrease the amount of medication the child needs to maintain a level of comfort. Very few children go on to develop systemic symptoms and in some cases the arthritis resolves in several years.

Polyarticular Arthritis 

Polyarticular arthritis accounts for 40% of the children diagnosed with arthritis each year. These children have at least 5 joints affected and the disease will often affect symmetrically. In other words if the left hand is affected the same joints in the right hand will also be painful and swollen.

Polyarticular arthritis is more likely to affect the small bones and joints and when the large bones are affected they grow at different rates affecting the way the child walks. The child will develop a limp and can develop Osteoarthritis later in life. Children go to the doctor with complaints of fever, rash and a decreased appetite. The diagnosis is most severe when the child is over 10 and also is positive for rheumatoid factor.

Systemic-Onset Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Systemic arthritis affects joints and some of the organs. Children have skin rashes, fever and inflammation of internal organs like the spleen and liver. Some call the disease Still disease after the doctor who first described it.

Systemic arthritis affects boys more than girls and accounts for only 10% of the childhood arthritis diagnosis each year. The children first complain between the ages of 5 and 10 years. The initial symptoms don’t usually affect the joints. There are serious complications from the inflammation throughout the body but interestingly this inflammation doesn’t affect the eyes.

Juvenile Arthritis - summary

Juvenile Arthritis is a catch phrase for a group of illnesses that cause inflammation, pain and redness in the joints, soft tissue and some organs of children. An accurate diagnosis is needed to assign the correct treatments and to plan for the child’s future.

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