CHILDHOOD ARTHRITIS

CHILDHOOD ARTHRITIS

Overview and Facts

Childhood arthritis, also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), juvenile arthritis, or pediatric rheumatic disease, is an umbrella term used to describe arthritis that develops in children that are between 6 months and 16 years in age.

The exact cause of childhood arthritis is not fully known; what is known is that childhood arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In childhood arthritis, inflammation occurs in either one or more joints. The body’s immune system attacks body tissues. It typically generates swelling, pain, and stiffness of the joints and may cause many people’s debility. It may either be acute or chronic. Acute arthritis is a classification in which the joint becomes hot and swollen, frequently with severe pain. On the other hand, chronic gout may also induce anxiety, but there may be accompanying stiffness and change in the appearance of the joint.

Types and Symptoms

TYPES

Systemic arthritis: affects the entire body, even internal organs such as heart, liver, lymph nodes, but rarely the eyes.

Oligoarthritis: affects fewer than five joints. The commonly affected areas are the knees, wrists, and ankles. This type can cause complications to the eyes, often affecting the iris.

Polyarthritis: affects five or more joints. The commonly affected areas are jaw and neck, also the hands and feet.

Psoriatic arthritis: affects children who both have arthritis and psoriasis. Arthritis develops first before psoriasis. Children with this type often have sausage-like fingernails.

Enthesitis-related arthritis: affects the entheses or the places where the tendon meets the bones.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of childhood arthritis tend to be progressive, often with aggravation of symptoms over time. There are periods when the symptoms intensify, and this is called flares- a period of increased disease activity. There are also times when symptoms improve, which is known as remission- a period of low disease activity.

The signs and symptoms of childhood arthritis are:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Rash
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Inflammation of the eye
  • Difficulty with daily living activities
  • Eye redness, eye pain, blurred vision (eye problems is one complication of childhood arthritis)
  • Growth stunt (childhood arthritis can affect a child’s growth and bone development)

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

There is no specific test for childhood arthritis, and diagnosis is made by excluding other conditions with the same signs and symptoms as childhood arthritis.

The doctor is likely to start by asking about the child’s medical history and family background and then perform a complete medical exam. Additional tests will be needed and are useful in determining what type of arthritis the child has. Some tests are:

  • Complete blood count
  • Blood test
  • Urine test
  • Imaging tests (MRI)
  • Bone scan
  • Blood culture
  • synovial fluid analysis and synovial tissue biopsy
  • Bone marrow exam
  • Test for rheumatoid factor

TREATMENT

There is no quick, accessible cure for childhood arthritis, but medical care can alleviate the pain. Program including the use of medications and physical therapy are required for an effective Arthritis treatment

The following are types of drugs prescribed to treat childhood arthritis:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are NSAIDS that can relieve pain and swelling.
  • Slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs (SAARDs): They are used to alleviate pain over time. They usually take several weeks to work.
  • Corticosteroids: Steroid shots may be given to treat pain. Sometimes, oral steroids are prescribed.
  • Antimetabolites: Type of drugs that aids in reducing further joint damage.

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