Juvenile Arthritis: Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment in Children

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is arthritis in children. It causes joint inflammation (swelling), pain, stiffness and loss of motion. It can affect any joint — where two bones meet, like the elbow or knee — but most often the knees, hands and feet.

JA can affect a child's growth and development, and sometimes other organs. Early diagnosis and treatment help control symptoms and limit joint damage.

Types

There are several forms. The most common in children under 16 is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which itself has several types, set by the symptoms and the number of joints affected. Some types are more common in girls.

Causes

The exact cause is unknown. Most types are autoimmune disorders: the immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks the body's own tissues.

Symptoms

• Most types: joint pain, swelling, warmth and stiffness; large joints such as the knee may swell.
• An early sign: a child may not complain, but may limp or be clumsy in the morning or after resting.
• Some types: high fever, swollen lymph nodes, a rash, growth problems or eye inflammation.
• Symptoms can come and go: some children have one or two flare-ups; others have symptoms that never go away.

Diagnosis

There's no single test, so JA can be hard to diagnose. A provider may take a medical history, do a physical exam, and order blood tests or imaging.

Treatment

A team of providers usually treats JA, depending on the child's age, the type and its severity. Treatment can include medicines and physical therapy to keep joints moving and ease swelling and pain.

Sources

Based on "Juvenile Arthritis," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; a work of the United States government in the public domain.