Juvenile arthritis is universal name used to describe any type of arthritis that can develop in children under the age of 16. Juvenile arthritis is also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis or juvenile chronic arthritis.
In juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and joint damage. The cause of juvenile arthritis is not known.
Juvenile Arthritis Symptoms
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can affect only one joint or several. In most problematic cases, it can affect the whole body causing swollen lymph nodes, rashes and fever.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by periods of intense disease activity, known as flares and times when symptoms disappear.
Juvenile arthritis symptoms may include:
- Joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Joint stiffness
- Fever, skin rashes, anemia, uveitis
The Difference Between Adult and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
The major difference between adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is that more than 50% children with juvenile form outgrow the condition, while adults usually have lifetime symptoms.
But, unlike rheumatoid arthritis in an adult, juvenile form may have an effect on bone development and the child’s growth.
Juvenile Arthritis Treatment
Juvenile arthritis treatment focuses on helping child to maintain a normal level of physical and social activity. To achieve this, a combination of strategies may be used:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin). All these can create stomach and gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding.
- Disease-modifying medications like methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). They also can cause stomach bleeding, bone-marrow suppression, liver damage, injury to the retina of the eye.
- Corticosteroids – immunosuppressive therapy. Corticosteroids side effects include thinning of the skin, easy bruising, osteoporosis, bone necrosis, infections and diabetes.
- Exercise to help maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility and help in managing pain.
Researchers are trying to improve existing juvenile arthritis treatments and find new medications that will be efficient with fewer side effects.
Natural remedies for arthritis:
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
