Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Some children may experience symptoms for only a few months, while others have symptoms for many years. Some types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause serious complications, such as growth problems, joint damage and eye inflammation. JIA types are autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. That means the immune system, which is supposed to fight invaders like germs and viruses, gets confused and attacks the body’s cells and tissues. This causes the body to release inflammatory chemicals that attack the

synovium

. It produces fluid that cushions joints and helps them move smoothly. Inflamed synovium may make a joint feel painful or tender, look red or swollen or difficult to move.
JIA is a chronic condition, meaning it can last for months and years. Sometimes the symptoms just go away with treatment, which is known as remission.
Symptoms

Joint pain

  • Knees

  • Occurs or worsens when joint is used or stressed

  • At wrist

  • At hip

  • Both sides of the body

  • Recurrent

  • Severe

  • Pain often wakes the patient from sleep

  • In fingers

  • Improved with rest

or Back neck pain

or Pain in ankle region without achilles tendon

common

Fever

  • Lasting 4 weeks or more

  • Greater than or equal to 38°C (100.4°F), Less than 38°C (100.4°F)

common

Skin rash and redness

  • At chest, At upper extremity except hand, At abdomen, At back, At legs not feet

  • At hands, At feet, At face

common

Difficulty moving neck

  • Occurs or worsens in the morning

or Difficulty moving fingers

  • Occurs or is worse in the morning

or Joint stiffness

  • Limited ankle movement, Difficulty moving knee, Difficulty moving wrist

common

Enlarged or swollen lymph nodes

  • Under the armpits

  • Inguinal

  • Above collar bones, Beneath jaw or at neck, Behind the ears

Enlarged knee joint

or Enlarged toes

or Enlarged wrist

or Enlarged fingers

or Enlarged elbow

Treatment
Treatment for JIA focuses on helping your child maintain a normal level of physical and social activity. To accomplish this, doctors may use a combination of strategies to relieve pain and swelling, maintain full movement and strength, and prevent complications. The treatment strategies include medications, physical therapy, and in very severe cases, surgery may be needed to improve joint function.
Recommended specialist

If you have Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, then a visit to a rheumatologist is recommended.

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