Juvenile rhuematoid arthritus - rhematoid arthritis

Juvenile arthritis, is a group of different types of rheumatoid arthritis that affect children. In this group we will find juvenile rhematoid arthritis, several lupus types and ankylosing spondylitis.

	Juvenile rheumatory arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatory arthritis) is the rhrumotoid arthritus diagnosed in children. JRA has many similarities with the adult version of rheumetoid arthrities although the juvenile version of the condition usually shows less serious longterm joint damages as well as less functional loss during progression of the disease. The juvenile arthrititis is lso known as idiopatic arthritis (JIA).

Why so some children get juvenile rhumitoid arthritis?

What we know is that there is some hereditary connection or facor, but we also know that there are other involved factors that seem to trigger the disease. The exact mechanism behind the triggering of JRA is not fully known. Juvenile rhuematoid arthritis tends to affect more girls than it does boys. 

Juvenile rhumatoid arthritis symptoms (signs)

There will be different symptoms and signs of juvenile rhematoid arthritis depending on which type it is, there are several. The common denominator among the different types of JRA is the arthritus component that can be affecting very differently, from one singular joint, to almost all joints in the whole body. When affected, the joint will be swollen and there will be inflammatory heat in the joint which often becomes visibly red. It is often painful and the joint will feel stiff, particularly in the morning.

are several different types of JRA (juvenile rhematoid arthiritis) that will have different symptoms. The common factor for all the forms of the condition is the arthritus that can affect anything from a single joint to more or less every joint in the body. The joints will swell up, the inflammation will lead to heat in the joint and it may become red. It often hurts when using the joint and it will feel stiff. Worst stiffness is usually in the morning.

Juvenile rheumatiod arthritis - the different types

Oligoarticulary - this type affects a few joints only

The oligoarticulary type is most common, with its share being nearly 50% of all diagnosed cases of JRA. This type will affect the larger (major) joints which are knees, wrists, ankles etc. It is also possible that eyes, neck and jaw can be affected by the oligoarticulary arthritis. In the eye case, there can be an inflammation that affects the iris so that an irreparable eye damage occurs. For this reason alone, it is very important with regular examinations of the eyes. The oligoarticulary JRA is the mildest of the forms and has the best long term prognosis.

Polyarticulary - this type affects several joints

With around 40%, this is number two on the list. The arthritis is classified as polyarticulary JRA if at least 5 joints are affected. Just as the oligoarticulary version, this starts in the major joints but it will propagate after some time to the minor joints (toes, fingers etc). Polyarticulary arthritis is more common in young girls, often showing the first symptoms before age six.

Systemic juvenile rheumatory arthritis

Systemic JRA, or Stills disease (from the famous British paediatrician) accounts for 10% of all diagnosed JRA cases. Stills disease will start with inflammatory signs such as enlarged lymphnodes, high temperature and in some cases visible light red belly rashes, sometimes on arms or thighs. This is the acute phase, after which it usually develops into the polyarticulary JRA.

Other juvenile rheumatory arthritis types

Except from the above, covering most cases of JRA, there are a few other types that are similar to adult versions like the psoriatric (psoratic) arthritis. In this group we can find Bechterews disease and a few others like SLE, dermatomycitis and vasculitis. These can in rare cases be found in juvenile versions. 

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis

If the arthritis has been in place for at least three months and the investigation shows no diagnosis of any other condition that causes the inflammation, a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatory arthritis is in place. 

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