What is Juvenile Arthritis?
Juvenile Arthritis (JA) affects approximately 50,000-100,000 children in the United States and is an inflammation of the joints characterized by swelling, heat and pain. The immune system of a child with JA is designed to protect the body but instead inflammatory chemicals and white blood cells can damage healthy tissues, causing inflammation and pain.
To effectively manage and minimize the effects of arthritis, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential. By understanding the symptoms and characteristics of each type of JA, children maintain an active, normal lifestyle.
Symptoms
The first signs often are joint pain or swelling, occasionally with red or warm joints. The three major subtypes of JIA include:
• Polyarticular affects more girls than boys. Symptoms include swelling or pain in five or more joints.
• Pauciarticular affects four or fewer joints. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, or swelling in the joints.
• Systemic arthritis affects the whole body. Classic symptoms include rash and high fevers that often increase in the evenings and then suddenly return to normal.
Treatment
A combination of medication, physical therapy and exercise is often prescribed for children with JA. In specific situations, your child may require injection of corticosteroids into the joint or surgery. Treatments are intended to relieve pain and inflammation, slow down or prevent joint damage, and restore normal use and function of the joints.
Early detection and intervention can make all the difference in the world. Talk with your child's physician if you think your child may have arthritis.
* Source – Helen DeVos Children's Hospital/Jeffrey Cassidy, M.D./Kids Health.org
Log onto www.devoschildrens.org for more information.
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