Rheumatoid arthritis in young children is suffered by about 50,000 children in the United States. It is commonly diagnosed in those under the age of 16 and some symptoms can become obvious in infants as young as 6 months. The condition is typically thought to be a form of autoimmune disease.
JRA is a chronic disease which causes a child to develop painful joint swelling. Additional symptoms may include fever, stiffness or loss of motion, rash, eye complications, and swollen lymph glands. The number of joints involved in the process determines the category of JRA that is being dealt with.
When the issue is not limited, or found throughout the body, it is called systemic. The next form is known as polyarticular which is associated with a combination of small and large joints being affected; there is a minimum of five for each joint size. Pauciarticular is most often found in the knees or wrists and has fewer than five joints which are involved.
The more serious form, known as systemic JRA, does not occur often. These children will often suffer with additional health issues such as fever and rash. The rash correlates to the development of the fever and is located on the trunk, arms and legs.
Children who develop polyarticular JRA usually have the symptoms in their arms and legs. Occasionally, this type will also attack the jaw or cervical joints. The development of rheumatoid arthritis has been strongly associated with this form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
While most people are comforted with the concept that fewer than five joints are involved in pauciarticular JRA, there is a high chance of eye complications. Children often develop inflammation of the tissues of the eye specifically the ciliary body, uvea, and iris. Chronic inflammation of this area can lead to vision problems, even blindness.
The treatments that are give to these children are tailored to the symptoms and severity of the disease. In most cases, a patient can expect to be placed on an anti-inflammatory regime and encouraged to exercise, or even prescribed physical therapy. When the symptoms flare, there are additional medications to lessen the pain and swelling involved.
Exercise, or physical therapy, is extremely important in addressing this disease. By keeping the child active, it keeps muscles strong and helps keep affected joints mobile. Some medical providers may recommend specific stretching or strengthening exercises to develop the best possible outcomes.
Children with JRA are regularly required to have some sort of joint replacement surgery. Special considerations for the emotional and mental needs of these young patients should be made. These young patients often develop anger and frustration due to this disease and the other complications which develop.
As one would assume, the more joints that are affected the more serious the problem being dealt with. The young age of these patients has proven to lead to developmental issues such as slow or abnormal growth. Additional medical concerns include inflammation developing in the heart and eye complications.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease that requires medical supervision. There are a number of tests which can be performed by a licensed medical provider to identify the problem. As with any health condition, rapid and knowledgeable attention should be sought at the first signs of problems.
Posted under Arhtritis Pain Management
This post was written by TKB-Editor on May 22, 2012

