What is Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile arthritis is a condition that causes joint inflammation in children younger than 16. There are multiple types of juvenile arthritis.

Depending on the type of juvenile arthritis, the condition may affect one, a few, or many joints. Some types of arthritis affect the whole body and cause other problems.

Arthritis is a condition in which the body’s disease-fighting system attacks its own healthy tissues (autoimmune disorder).

Arthritis may last only a few weeks or months and then go away. In other cases, arthritis can be a long-standing (chronic) condition that lasts for years.

What are the causes?

The cause of juvenile arthritis is not known.

What increases the risk?

Some children may be more likely to develop juvenile arthritis because they:

• Have certain genes. These genes may be triggered by an infection or an unknown event.
• Have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis or a different autoimmune disease.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Signs and symptoms vary, depending on the type of juvenile arthritis. Common symptoms include:

• Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth at the affected joints.
• Joint stiffness. This may be worse in the morning and improve throughout the day.
• Limited range of motion at the joints.
• Limping, if a leg joint is affected.

Other signs and symptoms that can develop in certain types of juvenile arthritis include:

• Fever.
• Rash.
• Small indentations in the nails.
• Bumps (nodules) on the body.
• Eye redness and soreness.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam.
• Your child’s symptoms and medical history.
• Blood tests.
• X-rays.

Your child may have more tests to determine which type of juvenile arthritis he or she has.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated with:

• Medicines to help reduce inflammation, such as:
  • NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
  • Steroids.
  • DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).
  • Biologic response modifiers.
• Physical therapy.
• Lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise, and taking steps to prevent infection.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

• Have your child do physical therapy exercises as directed.
• Encourage your child to exercise regularly, as told by a health care provider or physical therapist. Ask your child’s health care provider or physical therapist what sports and activities are safe for your child. Your child may need to:
  • Do activities that put less stress on the joints (low-impact activity). Some examples of low-impact activity include walking, swimming, and bicycling.
  • Avoid contact sports.

General instructions

• Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Make sure your child:
  • Eats a healthy diet.
  • Gets plenty of sleep. More rest during an arthritis flare-up may be helpful.
  • Stays up to date on all vaccines.
  • Stays away from people who are sick.
• Work with your child’s school and teachers to make sure that your child gets any help he or she might need during the day.
• Learn as much as you can about your child’s condition so that you have an active role in his or her treatment.
• Consider having your child join a support group for children and families living with arthritis.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if your child has:

• Sudden joint pain and swelling.
• A rash.
• A fever.
• Eye pain.
• Changes in vision.

Summary

• Juvenile arthritis is a condition that causes joint inflammation in children younger than 16.
• The condition may affect one joint, a few joints, or many joints.
• Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness as well as limited motion at the affected joints.
• Treatment may include medicines, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.