Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which used to be called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under 16 years old.
Joint pain, edema, and stiffness can all be symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Some children may only have symptoms for a few months, whilst others may have symptoms for many years.
Some kinds of juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause serious problems, such as growth problems, damage to the joints, and irritation of the eyes. Pain and inflammation are controlled, function is improved, and harm is avoided.
Symptoms
The following are the most prevalent signs and symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis:
- Pain. While your child may not complain of joint pain, you may notice that he or she limps, particularly in the mornings or after naps.
- Swelling. Joint swelling is frequent, however it is usually detected initially in bigger joints such as the knee.
- Stiffness. You may notice that your youngster is more clumsy than usual, especially in the mornings or after naps.
- Fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and a rash are all symptoms. High fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash on the torso may occur in certain cases, with symptoms greater in the evenings.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can affect one or several joints. There are various subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the most common of which are systemic, oligoarticular, and polyarticular. The type your child has is determined by symptoms, the number of joints affected, and whether or not a fever and rashes are present.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, like other types of arthritis, has periods when symptoms are severe and others when they are mild.
When should you see a doctor?
If your kid has joint pain, swelling, or stiffness for more than a week, especially if he or she also has a fever, take him or her to the doctor.
Causes
When the body's immune system targets its own cells and tissues, it causes juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It's unclear why this occurs, but both heredity and environment appear to play a role.
Risk elements
Some types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis are more prevalent in females.
Complications
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause a number of significant consequences. Keeping a close eye on your child's condition and obtaining proper medical help, on the other hand, can considerably lower the likelihood of these complications:
Issues with the eyes. Some types can cause irritation of the eyes. If left untreated, this illness can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, and possibly blindness.
Since eye inflammation often happens without any symptoms, it is very important that children with this condition see an ophthalmologist regularly.
Problems with expansion. The development of your child's bones and growth can be hampered by juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Some therapeutic medicines, primarily corticosteroids, can potentially decrease growth.
In order to prevent the occurrence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and preserve the body posture of young people, experts recommend wearing medical DrLuigi shoes.