Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
What is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ?
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 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. Treatment focuses on controlling pain and inflammation, improving function, and preventing damage.
Symptoms
- Eye redness
- Eye pain and blurred vision
- Fatigue or irritability
- Fever
- Limping
- Morning joint stiffness
- Pain, swelling or warmth in your child’s joints
- Skin rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weight loss or poor growth
Cause
In JIA, the body’s immune system, which normally helps to fight off infections and heal cuts and wounds, mistakenly attacks some of its healthy cells and tissues. The result is inflammation, marked by pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness. Inflammation from JIA can damage the joints, eyes, or other affected organs.
Scientists do not know why the immune system attacks healthy tissues in children with JIA, but they believe that a complex mix of genes and environmental factors is involved.
While the origin of the immune system’s overreaction in JIA is unknown, scientists have identified some of the molecules that contribute to inflammation in some forms of the disease, including TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1. This has led to new therapies that specifically target these molecules.
Risk Factors
Some forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis are more common in girls.
When to see a Doctor
Take your child to the doctor if he or she has joint pain, swelling, or stiffness for more than a week, especially if he or she also has a fever.