Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is the most common form of arthritis in children. It affects children before the age of 16 and may be a mild condition that causes few problems; or become a chronic condition that causes inflammation in one or more joints.

There are three types of Juvenile arthritis; each with their own set of symptoms. However, the most common symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis include joint inflammation; joint contracture (stiff, bent joint); or joint damage including alteration or change in growth.

Many children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis suffer from joint stiffness; particularly following rest or decreased activity. Others suffer from weakness in the muscles and soft tissue around arthritic joints.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is classified into three types. The type is typically determined based on the symptoms displayed by the child during the first six month of illness. These classifications are based on the number of joints involved, the symptoms, and the presence or absence of certain antibodies

Systemic onset type [SIS-tim-ik]: This type of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is characterized by fever and a light skin rash. Occasionally, Systemic onset type affects the internal organs including the heart, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Systemic accounts for 20 percent of all Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis cases. Symptoms include fever, rash, swelling, inflammation and pain in or around the joints.

Pauciarticular onset disease [PAW-see-are-TICK-you-lar]: This type of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common form and affects about 50 percent of all children with arthritis. Pauciarticular onset disease typically affects the larger joints such as knees and elbows. It generally develops in girls under the age of eight. Symptoms include swelling, inflammation, and pain. Pauciarticular means that four or fewer joints are affected.

Of particular importance is the fact that Pauciarticular onset disease causes eye disease in approximately 30 percent of children diagnosed with this type or JRA. Regular eye exams by a qualified ophthalmologist are of the utmost importance.

Polyarticular disease [PAUL-e-are-TICK-you-lar]: This type of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis develops in about 30 percent of all with JRA. Polyarticular tends to affect the small joints, such as those in the hands and feet. Oftentimes, Polyarticular will affect the same joint on both sides of the body. Symptoms of Polyarticular include swelling, inflammation or pain affecting five or more joints. 

Tags: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis

Juvenile arthritis is unfortunately very common around the world and the most prevalent form it exhibits is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Around 50 thousand children in the US suffer from this disease at this very moment. This is why we have to be informed and take a look at what causes juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, possible symptoms and more important information concerning the disease.

It is still now known what causes rheumatoid arthritis in children. According to recent research, we are dealing with an autoimmune disease. Such diseases make the white blood cell attack healthy tissues by releasing various chemicals that eventually cause pain and inflammation. The immune system should protect the body from various viruses and bacteria but when rheumatoid arthritis appears, white blood cells can not tell what can be damaging and what not. This explains the above mentioned action of attacking healthy cells. In most cases, the biggest problem with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the fact that you do not expect it to happen. You need to understand the symptoms because an early diagnosis can mean the difference between your child living an active life or a painful one.

There are different symptoms that can appear. You can immediately notice them or not. The most common symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are: stiffness in hips, neck or other joints, swollen joints that do not heal at a normal rate, sore knees or wrists, limping without visible reason, rashes that constantly appear and disappear in various parts of the body and high fevers in the evenings that suddenly disappear. Most of these symptoms can also be linked to other affections. This is why there is a need for more to be visible in most cases in order to even think about juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

The only person to diagnose juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a doctor. Do not jump to conclusions! A thorough physical examination and medical history analysis must be conducted. Various X-rays and blood tests also need to be made in order to eliminate other possible diseases from the list. As stated earlier, these symptoms can also be linked with other diagnoses. Doctors can also perform CBCs, bone marrow examinations, blood cultures, rheumatoid factor tests, ANAs, bone scans and a lot more.

What is extremely important with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is being aware of it. Parents are usually the ones that can realize most of the symptoms. It is not bad to take your child to a doctor once in a while. If more of the above mentioned symptoms are experienced by your child, be sure to go and consult a specialist. 

Tags: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis