What is Juvenile Arthritis?

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger.
Arthritis typically affects joints -- the word “arthritis” literally means joint inflammation: arth (joint) and itis (inflammation) – but JA can involve the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract as well.
In addition, there are several different types of juvenile arthritis. As JA’s prevalence rises, researchers and doctors alike are working to develop a more sophisticated understanding of the differences between the different forms.
The most common type of JA is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). To receive a diagnosis, a child should be younger than 16 and have initial swelling in one or more joints for at least six weeks. Over time, a child with JIA, now an umbrella term for several types of arthritis previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, may exhibit a variety of symptoms including muscle and soft tissue tightening, bone erosion, joint misalignment and changes in growth patterns.
Once a child is diagnosed with JIA, the next challenge is to determine the specific type of JIA I he’s experiencing. The first six months after onset are extremely important. Your child’s doctor, likely a pediatric rheumatologist, will monitor the number of joints affected during those first six months, as well as administer the rheumatoid factor blood test, which checks for a substance in the blood that’s usually found in people with this condition.
Based on her symptoms, your child may be diagnosed with one of the following categories of JIAall

Oligoarthritis: This type of JA, which accounts for 40 percent of new JIA patients is diagnosed when four or fewer joints are involved within the first six months.
Polyarthritis: A child is diagnosed with polyarthritis when five or more joints are involved during the first six months.
Systemic: Though broad in reach, with the potential to involve the entire body – systemic JIA is narrow in scope, comprising only about 10 percent of JIA cases.. Symptoms may include a non-contagious fever and rash, and inflammation can particularly the spleen or the membranes that covering the lungs and heart.
Enthesitis-related: This type is characterized by the inflammation of the entheses, or sites where tendons attach to the bone.
Other types of arthritis: Though JIA is the most common type of JA, it certainly isn’t the only type. Other forms include juvenile lupus,juvenile psoriatic arthritis and juvenile dermatomyositis Children can also experience non-inflammatory disorders, which are characterized by chronic pain associated with heredity, injury or unknown causes.

according to www.athritis.org

Who gets Juvenile Arthretis?
No known cause has been pinpointed for most forms of juvenile arthritis, nor is there evidence to suggest that toxins, foods or allergies cause children to develop the disease. Some research points toward a genetic predisposition, which means the combination of genes a child receives from family members may cause the onset of arthritis when triggered by other factors.

Oligoarthritis and polyarthritis are both more common in girls, while boys and girls are equally vulnerable to systemic arthritis. Boys are more commonly diagnosed with enthesitis-related arthritis. Like everything else, there are exceptions to every rule, so work with your child’s doctor to get a proper and timely diagnosis.

No single blood test confirms juvenile arthritis. In fact, blood testing will reveal relatively little in terms of your child’s diagnosis. In children, the key to diagnosis is a careful physical exam, along with taking a medical history.

Along with the physical exam itself, your child’s doctors will take a number of other diagnostic steps – such as laboratory work and x-rays and other imaging tests - in part to rule out other potential causes of symptoms. Blood work, for example, can rule out the possibility of an underlying infection.

Signs and Symptoms

Usually joints affected by osteoarthritis ache or become painful or stiff first thing in the morning, or during or after use. They may also be stiff after periods of inactivity. It’s important to remain physically active despite any initial discomfort you might feel. Exercise keeps joints moving, which helps them stay lubricated. It also builds strength in the muscles surrounding the affected joint, so they can support it.

Life with Juvenile Arthretis
Having arthritis affects your entire family, but you can maintain a sense of calm and normalcy. Stick to as many of your child's daily routines and comforting habits as possible. Having arthritis should be part of your child’s life – not the central focus of his life.