Childhood arthritis
Childhood arthritis, is any form of chronic arthritis or chronic arthritis-related conditions which affects individuals under the age of 16. It is an autoimmune disease.
Presentations[edit | edit source]
Three types of juvenile arthritis exist—juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), of which JRA is the most common.[1]
JRA again can be divided into three main forms: The classification is based upon symptoms, number of joints involved and the presence of certain antibodies in the blood.[2][3]
- Polyarticular arthritis is the first type of arthritis, which affects about 30–40% of children with arthritis and is more common in girls than boys.[2][3][1][4] Typically five or more joints are affected (usually smaller joints such as the hands and feet but many also affect the hips, neck, shoulders and jaw).[2][1]
- Oligoarticular (aka pauciarticular) arthritis can be early or late onset and is the second type of arthritis, affecting about 50% of children with juvenile arthritis.[2][3][1] This type affects fewer than four joints (usually the large joints such as knees, ankles or wrists) and may cause eye inflammation in girls with positive anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA).[2][3] Girls younger than eight are more likely to develop this type of arthritis.[3]
- Systemic disease is the least common form, with 10–20% of children (boys and girls equally) being affected with limited movement, swelling and pain in at least one joint.[2][1] A common symptom of this type is a high, spiking fever of 103 °F (39.4 °C) or higher, lasting for weeks or months, and a rash of pale red spots on the chest, thighs or other parts of the body may be visible.[2]
Cause[edit | edit source]
In most cases, juvenile arthritis is caused by the body attacking its own healthy cells and tissues, i.e. autoimmunity, causing the joint to become inflamed and stiff.[3] Once the joint has become inflamed and stiff, damage is done to the joint and the growth of the joint may by changed or impaired.[3]
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Early diagnosis and treatment by a paediatric rheumatologist or a rheumatologist can help manage inflammation, relieve pain, and prevent joint damage.[2][3] Careful examination, laboratory tests (blood and urine), and various forms of imaging like X-rays may be some of the tests conducted by a doctor.[2][3]
Definition[edit | edit source]
Juvenile arthritis, also known as Childhood arthritis (JA) is any form of chronic arthritis or arthritis-related conditions which affects individuals under the age of 16.[2] Juvenile arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease.[2]
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment of juvenile arthritis includes medications, physical therapy, splints and in severe cases surgery.[3] Methotrexate is commonly prescribed to children with juvenile arthritis.[5] These treatments are focused on reducing swelling, relieving pain and maintaining full movement of joints.[2] Children are encouraged to be involved in extra-curricular activities, physical activity when possible, and to live a "normal" life.[2][4]
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
In the US it affects about 250,000-294,000 children and teens making it one of the most common childhood diseases.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Arthritis. Retrieved March 20, 2012, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/childhood.htm
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 Arthritis Foundation. (2012). Juvenile Arthritis Face Sheet. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from Arthritis Foundation: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2012). Orthoinfo. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00075
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 American College of Rheumatology. (2011). Practice Management. Retrieved March 20, 2012, from American College of Rheumatology:http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/juvenilearthritis.asp
- ↑
External links[edit | edit source]
Classification |
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- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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