Childhood arthritis

Childhood arthritis
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Synonyms	Juvenile arthritis
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Field
Symptoms
Complications
Onset
Duration
Types
Causes
Risks
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Prevention
Treatment
Medication
Prognosis
Frequency
Deaths

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

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.<ref name="Disease Control" />

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.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="American Academy" />

1. 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.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="American Academy" /><ref name="Disease Control" /><ref name="American College of Rheumatology" /> 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).<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="Disease Control" />
2. 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.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="American Academy" /><ref name="Disease Control" /> 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).<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="American Academy" /> Girls younger than eight are more likely to develop this type of arthritis.<ref name="American Academy" />
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.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="Disease Control" /> 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.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" />

Cause

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.<ref name="American Academy" /> 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.<ref name="American Academy" />

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis and treatment by a paediatric rheumatologist or a rheumatologist can help manage inflammation, relieve pain, and prevent joint damage.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="American Academy" /> 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.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="American Academy" />

Definition

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.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation"/> Juvenile arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" />

Treatment

The treatment of juvenile arthritis includes medications, physical therapy, splints and in severe cases surgery.<ref name="American Academy"/> Methotrexate is commonly prescribed to children with juvenile arthritis.<ref>Takken, Tim,

 Methotrexate for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 
 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 
 
 
 
 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd003129,</ref> These treatments are focused on reducing swelling, relieving pain and maintaining full movement of joints.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /> Children are encouraged to be involved in extra-curricular activities, physical activity when possible, and to live a "normal" life.<ref name="Arthritis Foundation" /><ref name="American College of Rheumatology" /> 

Epidemiology

In the US it affects about 250,000-294,000 children and teens making it one of the most common childhood diseases.<ref name="American Academy"/>

External links

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases