Juvenile arthritis

Encyclopedia : J : JU : JUV : Juvenile arthritis

Juvenile arthritis is a type of arthritis typically affects children before the age of sixteen. Most children with juvenile arthritis have a form of rheumatoid arthritis but when nothing can be diagnosed it is given the name JIA (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis), the symptoms of which are similar to the adult kind. In many cases the condition is outgrown at a later age. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can occur as early as six weeks of age and occurs in girls more commonly than boys though it most commonly begins between ages 1-3. There are three primary types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Polyarticular, pauciarticular, and systemic.

Polyarticular involves more than four joints and may be associated with a low grade fever.
Pauciarticular, as the name implies, involves fewer joints (fewer than 4).
Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can affect the entire body. Classically it is associated with a vasculitic rash and daily spiking fevers. However, the fevers and/or rash may precede arthritis by many months.

Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) may be able to slow the progression the disease and relieve symptoms. Newer medications such as anti-TNF alpha and anti-IL 1 drugs may also prove to be of significant help for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

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