What Is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most prevalent form of juvenile arthritis.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) affects approximately 50,000 children in the United States.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where white blood cells lose the ability to tell the difference between the body’s own healthy cells and harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses.

In turn, the body’s own immune system releases chemicals that damage healthy tissue and cause inflammation and pain to the joints.

There are three types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Polyarticular arthritis which affects girls more than boys and affects five or more joins. Pauciarticular arthritis affects four or fewer joints.

The knees and wrist are the most commonly affected with Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the third major type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and affects the whole body.

Even though this is a common symptom of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a young child may not identify pain as a problem.

Another common symptom of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is joint stiffness usually present in the morning and lasting for approximately one hour or more.

Irritability, refusal to walk or protection or guarding of joints are additional signs of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is generally based upon a pattern of symptoms. A blood test may be ordered to look for signs or inflammation.

Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may also have a marker called C-reactive protein in their blood. This measures the amount of inflammation.

There is no cure for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and so treatment for this disease centers around decreasing the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis such as joint inflammation, joint pain and joint stiffness as well as trying to stop the joint destruction that occurs with rheumatoid arthritis.

This is normally achieved through the use of medications, physical therapy and exercise. A multi-disciplinary approach to treatment is the most effective course of therapy in the treatment and management of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

To effectively manage juvenile rheumatoid arthritis an early diagnosis as well as aggressive treatment is essential. Understanding the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can help you help your child to maintain an active and productive lifestyle.

Your child’s primary physician or rheumatologist can best help you decide which treatment method is right for your child.