) is a condition that can cause stiff or swollen joints, pain, and other symptoms in children. Arthritis is a medical term for inflammation of the joints. � �
There are several different types of this condition. They include: � �
- Systemic arthritis " � This type happens when the bodys infection-fighting system, called the "immune system, attacks the joints. It also causes a fever and rash. Children age 1 to 16 can get systemic arthritis. It is just as common in boys as in girls.
- Polyarthritis " � This type affects more than 4 joints after the child has it for 6 months. It is more common in girls than in boys.
- Pauciarthritis " � This type affects less than 5 different joints after the child has it for 6 months. It is the most common type of juvenile arthritis. About half of children who have juvenile arthritis have this type. It is more common in girls, and usually starts at age 2 to 3. Children 10 and older rarely get it.
What are the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis? " � Symptoms can include: � �
- Fever " � Children who have systemic arthritis sometimes get a fever at the same time every day for 2 weeks or more. The fever can go away but come back around the same time the next day.
- Rash " � Children who have systemic arthritis sometimes get a rash. The rash is made up of small pink patches. It can be easy to see when the child has a fever. The rash might go away when the fever goes down and start again when the fever comes back.
- Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints:
- This can happen in the wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. It can also be in the hands, hips, upper back, and jaw.
- Arthritis sometimes happens in the same joint on both sides of the body. For example, it might happen in both knees or both wrists.
- Some children have a stiff or swollen joint that does not hurt. For example, a child might "walk funny" in the morning, but get better after a little while.
Should my child see a doctor or nurse? " � If your child has a stiff, swollen, or painful joint, see a doctor or nurse. � �
Will my child need tests? " � Yes. The doctor or nurse will do an exam and ask about your child's symptoms. Many other conditions cause symptoms similar to juvenile arthritis. These include infections, cancer, and other diseases. The doctor or nurse can order blood tests to see your child has a different condition. � �
Some children with juvenile arthritis get an eye disease called "uveitis. " � This is an inflammation inside the eye. Often, uveitis does not cause symptoms until it has damaged the eye. A child who has juvenile arthritis might need to see an eye doctor to check for uveitis. � �
How is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treated? " � Treatments include: � �
- Medicines " � Doctors use several different medicines to treat arthritis in children. These can help joint pain and stiffness. They can also treat fever, rash, and other symptoms. Medicines can include:
- Medicines called NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve)
- Other medicines that come in pills
- Medicines given as a shot into joints
Doctors might also recommend: � �
- Physical therapy, if the arthritis causes muscle problems
- Medicines to treat problems caused by the arthritis, such as uveitis or growth problems
- Surgery to fix problems caused by the arthritis, such as having one leg that is longer than the other
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 83288 Version 2.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
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