Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), formerly also called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), is the most common type of arthritis (inflammation of the joint) in children under 16 years old.

               Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause long-term joint pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Some children may experience symptoms for only a few months, while others may experience symptoms continuously for the rest of their lives.

              Some types of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis can cause serious complications such as growth problems, joint damage and eye inflammation (uveitis, iridocyclitis). Treatment focuses on controlling pain and inflammation, improving function, and preventing joint damage.

What are the most common signs and symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

Pain: Even if your child does not complain of joint pain, the first thing you will notice is limping, especially in the morning or after waking up.

Joint swelling: Joint swelling is a common finding, occurring in the knees, ankles, wrists, or knuckles.

Joint stiffness: You may notice that your child looks clumsier than usual, especially in the morning or after waking up. In addition, older children may say that they cannot open their fingers in the morning, but that this complaint improves in the afternoon.

              Fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash: In some cases, high fever, swollen lymph nodes or a rash on the trunk may occur. In this case, we can talk about systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is a more dangerous disease that needs to be diagnosed and treated in a short time.

              Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can affect one or more joints. There are several different subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. However, there are mainly systemic, oligoarticular (4 or more joints affected) or polyarticular (5 or more joints affected) subtypes. Which type your child has depends on the symptoms, the number of joints affected, and whether fever and rash are prominent features. Pediatric idiopathic arthritis is characterized by times when symptoms flare up and when symptoms disappear. The drugs used in the treatment are adjusted according to the disease activity.

              Children with rheumatic diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis should be under regular pediatric rheumatology control.

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