What is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of joint inflammation which impacts children under 16. The severity of this condition can vary widely; some children only experience minor pain and swelling, while others endure more severe bouts of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In all cases, there are an assortment of treatment options for managing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and some kids recover completely from bouts with it at a young age, going on to live healthy lives.

In rheumatoid arthritis, the joints of the body and the sheaths which protect them grow inflamed. Instead of being flexible and free-moving, the joints lock up. They can be swollen, painful, hot, or reddened, and the patient's freedom of movement can be severely restricted. In juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, there can be some serious complications, since the patient is still growing. The joints could grow at different rates, causing the child to have an uneven body, for example. Muscle shortening known as contracture can also be a problem if the patient favors an affected limb.

There are three main types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: pauciarticular, polyarticular, and systemic. Pauciarticular involves four or fewer joints, and it is often associated with inflammation of the eyes. Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis involves five or more four joints, and it appears to strike girls more than boys. In systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the patient's whole body is affected, and the condition can be very painful.

The exact cause of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, leading some doctors to refer to it as an idiopathic arthritis, but the condition appears to be autoimmune in origin. For unknown reasons, the patient's body starts attacking the tissue of the joints, causing inflammation and the onset of arthritis. The condition may be genetically linked to other autoimmune problems, like lupus, as some scientific studies seem to suggest that autoimmune conditions can be inherited.

To diagnose juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, doctors use tools like blood tests and bone scans to eliminate causes like infections and to confirm that the cause of the joint inflammation and pain is indeed arthritis. The condition can be treated with gentle exercise and physical therapy, along with anti-inflammatory medications to address the pain and swelling. Some doctors also recommend dietary changes for their juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients.