Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis?

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common form of arthritis in children. As many as half the children with this condition have a mild form and have few problems. However, some forms of this disease can produce long-term problems.

There are three types of JRA:

• Pauciarticular JRA affects 4 or fewer joints and may cause eye inflammation. The joints most likely to be affected are the knees, elbows, wrists, or ankles. This is the most common type of JRA. Half of the children with JRA have this type.
• Polyarticular JRA affects many joints (5 or more). About 30% of children with JRA have this type. The smaller joints like those in the hands and feet may be affected as well as large joints.
• Systemic Onset JRA (also called Still's disease) affects many body parts, including internal organs and joints. Only about 20% of children with JRA have this type. It often begins with bouts of fever and chills as well as a light pink rash on the thighs and chest. This type of JRA may affect internal organs like the heart, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.

What is the cause?

The cause of JRA is not completely known. Research shows that it is an autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease, your body loses the ability to tell the difference between healthy cells and harmful invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Instead of protecting your body, your immune system releases chemicals that damage healthy tissues and cause swelling and pain.

What are the symptoms?

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis has similar symptoms to the adult forms of arthritis such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of motion to joints. When the arthritis starts and how severe the symptoms are varies among the different types of JRA. As with adult-onset disease, JRA may flare and then settle into remission.

A growing child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may have abnormal bone growth. For example, the disease may increase growth in one leg bone but not in the other, causing one leg to be longer than the other. Also, if a child keeps a joint from moving to avoid pain, this lack of movement can weaken and shorten muscles, causing a deformity over time.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider may suspect JRA if your child has been complaining of joint pain and stiffness for more than 6 weeks. Tests that may be ordered depending on the symptoms. Your doctor may do tests that check for inflammation or autoimmunity (an ANA test). Some children also have a rheumatoid factor test.

How long does it last?

The outlook for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is often better than that for an adult with arthritis. About half of children affected by JRA recover completely and outgrow the arthritis by adulthood. Eye problems may continue for some children even if their joint symptoms have gone away. Joint problems can sometimes return after long periods of time without them. The fewer the number of joints affected, the better the outlook.

A small percentage of children with systemic onset JRA develop severe arthritis in many joints that can continue to adulthood.

What is the treatment?

• Medicine: There are many medications for JRA that reduce swelling and pain. Many children with JRA take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen and naproxen are two NSAIDs. Although NSAIDs have the fewest side effects of the usual medications used, some children do have side effects including abdominal pain, anemia, nausea, headache, blood in the urine, or swelling of the hands or feet.

  Other medicines are intended to suppress the immune system to reduce the autoimmune process. Fewer children with JRA receive these medications. Immunosuppressive and corticosteroid medications should be carefully discussed with your doctor. A pharmacist may also provide helpful information about these medications.

• Eye exams: Regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in eye diseases) are important for all children with JRA. Take your child to the eye doctor once a year.
• Dental care: Medications for JRA may affect your child's bones and teeth. Take your child to the dentist every 6 months to check on the health of the teeth, gums, and jaw.
• Nutrition: Give your child a well-balanced diet. Your child should try to keep at an average weight.
• Exercise: Make sure your child gets regular exercise. Doing a variety of exercise activities (including range-of-motion exercises) is important because lack of movement can weaken and shorten muscles. A balance between normal activity and rest is necessary. This will avoid fatigue and excessive stress on joints.
• Splints: If joints are being pulled out of their usual alignment, a splint may help to keep the normal position and function.