We typically think of arthritis as something that affects the joints of adults, especially as they grow older. However, arthritis is also found in children, whose bones are still growing.
The condition in children is called juvenile arthritis (JA). Juvenile arthritis can cause persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Some children experience symptoms for a few months, while others have symptoms for the rest of their lives.
Juvenile arthritis can make it difficult for children to do everyday activities such as walking, getting dressed, and playing sports. In the worst cases, it results in disability.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, JA is not a disease in itself. It is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that develop in children under 16. The most common type is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Juvenile arthritis affects nearly 300,000 children in the United States.
What causes juvenile arthritis?
According to Dr. Goldsmith, chief of rheumatology at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, “That’s a Nobel Prize question. There’s been an enormous amount of research dedicated to this over the years. While we know the biology of inflamed joints, the real crux of how and why they get there is still speculative.”
Because JA is an autoimmune condition, it occurs as a result of the body’s immune system attacking its own cells and tissues. While your immune system is meant to defend you from bad things exposed to your body, it also can “turn off.”
The current theory is that breaks in the immune system cause it to be impaired, thus making you more susceptible to long-standing inflammation.
What are the signs and symptoms of JA?
According to Dr. Goldsmith, juvenile arthritis is initially difficult to diagnose. Signs include your child being less active and complaining about aches and pains in his or her joints.
Common symptoms of juvenile arthritis include swelling, stiffness, fever, rash, fatigue, and difficulty with daily living activities.
Because the formal definition of juvenile arthritis is “swelling of the joints that is persistent for six weeks or longer,” it is important to track the presence of these symptoms over time.
To identify a child with juvenile arthritis, Dr. Goldsmith says, “Look for a child who’s not the way he/she was before. We rely heavily on parental observations because no one knows a child better than his/her parent.”
Mayo Clinic recommends taking your child to the doctor if he or she is experiencing joint pain, swelling, or stiffness for more than a week, especially if the symptoms include a fever.
How is juvenile arthritis treated?
While there is no known cure for juvenile arthritis, it is easily treated. Proper treatment can relieve inflammation, control pain, and improve the child’s quality of life.
Medications prescribed to decrease pain, improve function, and minimize potential joint damage include corticosteroid injections and biologic agents. Another treatment option involves working with a physical therapist or occupational therapist to keep joints flexible and maintain range of motion and muscle tone.
There is no single best treatment of juvenile arthritis. Treatment is dependent upon the severity of the child’s symptoms and is often a combination of medication and physical therapy.
The ultimate goal for helping children with juvenile arthritis, according to Dr. Goldsmith, is “to try to mainstream children and keep them involved in the same activities as children without juvenile arthritis.”
The Arthritis Foundation sponsors a one-week program in July near Bloomsburg called Camp Victory. Children with juvenile arthritis are given the opportunity to bond with others in similar circumstances.
If you think your child may have juvenile arthritis, make an appointment with your doctor today.