Information On Juvenile Arthritis
Chronic childhood arthritis, sometimes referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile chronic arthritis, is quite different from adult rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, many people have dropped the word ‘rheumatoid’ and now call chronic childhood arthritis juvenile arthritis, or JA.No one knows exactly what causes JRA. Scientists do know it is an autoimmune disorder, which means your immune system, which normally helps your body fight infection, attacks your body’s own tissues. Medicines and physical therapy can help maintain movement and reduce swelling and pain.
Juvenile arthritis(JA) refers to any form of arthritis or arthritis-related condition that develops in children or teenagers who are less than 18 years of age. Approximately 294,000 children under the age of 18 are affected by pediatric arthritis and rheumatologic conditions. Read below to see how the Arthritis Foundation is reaching out to these children and their families.
Causes
The causes of juvenile arthritis are unknown, according to the American College of Rheumatology. “The cause of juvenile arthritis is thought to be associated with an autoimmune problem,” said Dr. Katz. Some genetic markers are more common in certain types of childhood arthritis or in children who develop particular complications from it. These conditions are not regarded as hereditary and rarely affect more than one family member.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis vary from child to child. No single test can conclusively establish a diagnosis. Juvenile arthritis must be present consistently for six or more consecutive weeks before a correct diagnosis can be made.
This accounts for 10 per cent of cases and often affects most of the joints. Initial symptoms include high temperatures and a rash. Children with this form are generally unwell and severely lacking in energy. There are other, rarer forms of the disease but the symptoms will be similar to those in one of the types above.
Diagnosis
Juvenile arthritis (JA) is diagnosed based upon a pattern of symptoms. Your doctor will review your child’s medical history and symptoms, and perform a careful examination, including an eye exam. He or she may order blood tests to look for signs of inflammation, such as a high white blood cell count. In some children with JA, a test of the blood’s erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube, will show an increase. Children with JA may also have a marker called C-reactive protein in their blood which measures the amount of inflammation similar to the ESR.
Treatment
To avoid joint damage and many of the other affects of JCA, treatment must be continued even while the disease is active. It will include medication, physiotherapy, exercise, rest and may also include the use of splints to help joints keep the best position and movement possible. Special shoes and insoles help to support the foot. Prevention of joint contractures is a prime aim of physiotherapy for JCA.
Regular monitoring of JA and its effects on other systems is essential. Children with types of JA that have eye complications should receive eye examinations by an ophthalmologist (physician who specializes in eye diseases) at least every six months or more often if recommended. Dentists should also be aware of children diagnosed with JA. Arthritis pain in the jaw may make chewing difficult or make children more reluctant to brush their teeth.
