Arthritis is a condition usually associated with the elderly and senior citizens, but in reality a growing number of children are being diagnosed with arthritis every year. The term actually covers a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that develop in children under 16, and in some cases as young as 3 or 4. There are over 100 conditions that fall under the term and all include painful and mobility limiting symptoms.
Arthritis is a condition that typically affects the joints, this is different with Juvenile Arthritis as it also affects the eyes, gastrointestinal track, and skin. With over a quarter of a million children affected it is one of the most prevalent childhood diseases in the USA.
There are three main classifications, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common of the three and affects about 1 child per 1000 children. The condition usually presents between the ages of 7 and 12 and is more common in girls than boys for unknown reasons.
In most cases, this type of arthritis is an autoimmune condition with the primary underlying cause being the bodies immune system attacking it’s own healthy cells in the joints leading to inflammation and chronic persistent pain. Because children are still growing there is danger of the inflammation in the joint leading to permanent damage and impaired or improper growth of the joint.
Early diagnosis is essential to proper treatment, and the child should be seen by a pediatric rheumatologist to ensure the best outcome and prevent growth issues and permanent deformity of the joint. It’s important to have an accurate diagnosis of the type of Arthritis the child has in order decide on the best course of treatment.
It is important to understand that diagnoses can be a very long and drawn out process, as there are no blood tests to determine whether the child has the condition, or what form of the condition they might have. X-rays and imaging test will be part of the diagnostic process, and blood work is used to rule out other conditions and underlying infections.
As of now there is no known cause for arthritis in young people, and no known cure. Treatment involves symptom control through medication, physical therapy and in some cases diet adjustment and eye care. The child will usually have a team of specialists to deal with the various aspects of the disease and afford the best quality of life while minimizing further damage to the joints.
Arthritis used to be considered a condition reserved for the elderly, but it is actually one of the most common childhood conditions affecting more than 250,000 children in the US alone. Due to it’s increased prevalence researches and doctors are investing more tine and effort into finding a cure for this chronic and painful condition.
Juvenile Arthritis not only affects the joints, but can also affects the child’s eyes and skin, so proper diagnoses and prompt treatment is very important.
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