According to the Arthritis Foundation, the most common form of arthritis in children is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The disease affects each child differently; some have a more mild case with few problems and symptoms while others have severe cases with serious complications.
Symptoms of JRA include:
- Joint inflammation
- Stiffness and bending of the joints, also known as joint contracture
- Joint damage
- Change in growth
- Joint stiffness following rest, also known as morning stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Weakness in soft tissues around joints with JRA
There are three major types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Pauciarticular JRA affects four joints or less. Approximately half of all children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have this type of JRA. The large joints — knees, ankles, elbows — are most often affected, though other joints may be involved. Pauciarticular JRA often affects one side of the body, rather than both sides at the same time. There are two types of pauciarticular JRA: one that affects girls under the age of seven and often comes with eye inflammation and one that affects boys after the age of eight and involves the lower spine, hips, knees, and ankles.
Polyarticular JRA affects five or more joints. This type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is more often seen in girls than in boys, and can resemble adult rheumatoid arthritis in teenagers. The most commonly affected joints are those in the fingers and hands; it is also seen in the knees, hips, ankles, neck, and jaw. Children with polyarticular JRA often suffer from anemia and may develop nodules on joints that receive a lot of pressure.
Systemic onset JRA affects at least one joint and causes the inflammation of internal organs. This is the least common form of JRA, and comes with high fevers, a rash, arthritis, and the organ inflammation. In approximately half of all children with systemic onset JRA, most symptoms of the illness seem to disappear within a year. Joint-related symptoms may linger.
In all forms of JRA, the treatment program includes: controlling inflammation, relieving pain, controlling joint damage, and maximizing joint function. Your child’s treatment program may include medication, exercise, healthy eating, and eye and dental care to prevent secondary problems.