Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JIA) causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in some of the body’s joints. These symptoms may occur in one or more joints and are caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own healthy cells and tissues.
Symptoms can come and go with time, called a flare. Sometimes the pain and inflammation are mild and go away with no treatment, or they can last for days or months. Some children experience a pattern of remission and flare-ups where they have little or no pain, stiffness, and swelling, but other symptoms remain.
Joint pain, swelling, and warmth can cause problems with your child’s daily activities, like not being able to use crayons or hold a fork properly. Often, children with JIA learn how to do things differently so they can continue to participate in activities.
Some kids with juvenile arthritis also have a condition called uveitis, or inflammation in the front of the eye. This can interfere with a child’s vision. This is not common, but your child’s healthcare provider will check it for you.
There are four main types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: pauciarticular, oligoarticular, polyarticular and systemic. Each type affects a different number of joints.
A doctor can diagnose this disease by asking questions and doing a physical exam. A blood test, X-rays and bone scan can help rule out other conditions.
The rheumatologist will look for certain antibodies that are found in many people with rheumatic diseases. The test will show whether the child has a protein that is known as rheumatoid factor, which can be a strong indicator of a possible diagnosis of JIA.
Another important test is a synovial fluid examination, which involves the removal of a sample of the joint’s fluid. The doctor can look for crystals and bacteria or viruses that can cause problems if the lining of the joint is not working correctly.
There are many different medicines to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. These medicines can reduce inflammation, relieve pain and stiffness, and slow the progression of the disease.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common medications for reducing pain and inflammation. They include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Other medications that are commonly used include anti-seizure medicines and medicines that suppress the immune system, called disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs.
Your child’s doctor will decide what medicines are best for your child. These medicines can be given by mouth or through an injection. They are taken for several years to keep the disease from getting worse and prevent joint damage.
A doctor can prescribe corticosteroids if the child’s disease is very severe or not responding to other treatments. These medicines can help control the disease and are often effective, but they can have serious side effects.
In some cases, your child’s rheumatologist will recommend surgery to remove parts of the affected joints or repair the damaged tissue. This can slow the progress of JIA and improve your child’s quality of life.
