Overview
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis in children younger than age 16. JIA is called idiopathic because the cause is not known. It happens when the immune system becomes overactive and causes inflammation in the body.
JIA can cause persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness. For some children, these symptoms may last only a few years. For others, they can continue for many years.
Certain types of JIA can lead to serious complications, including slowed growth, joint damage and inflammation in the eyes. Treatment aims to lessen pain and swelling, help joints work better and prevent long-term damage.
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Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis are:
- Pain. Your child may not complain of joint pain, but you may notice a limp, especially first thing in the morning or after a nap.
- Swelling. This often happens in larger joints, such as the knees.
- Stiffness. Your child may seem more awkward or clumsy than usual, especially after sleeping or resting.
- Fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash. In some cases, your child may have a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash on the chest, back or stomach. These symptoms often get worse in the evening.
JIA can affect one joint or many. The main types are oligoarticular, polyarticular and systemic. Oligoarticular JIA affects a few joints. Polyarticular JIA affects five or more joints. And systemic JIA affects the joints and also causes symptoms throughout the whole body, such as fever or a rash on the back, belly or chest. The type classification depends on your child's symptoms, how many joints are affected, and whether fever or rash are present.
Like other forms of arthritis, JIA often comes in cycles. There are times when symptoms get worse, called flare-ups. And there are times when symptoms improve.
When to see a doctor
It's important to see a healthcare professional early if your child has swollen or stiff joints. Waiting too long to start treatment can lead to joint damage, make the treatment less effective and cause other health issues.
With treatment, most children have periods when they have no symptoms and the disease is not active. In some children JIA goes away completely. No further treatment is needed. But for some, it may be a lifelong condition that requires treatment into adulthood.
Causes
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis happens when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. It's not known why this happens, but both inherited traits and environmental factors may play a role.
Risk factors
Some forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis are more common in girls than in boys. The reason for this is not fully understood. But researchers believe it may be linked to differences in hormones and the immune system. Genetics also may play a role, as certain inherited traits can make a child more likely to develop JIA.
Complications
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can lead to serious health conditions. Watching your child's symptoms closely and getting regular medical care helps lower the risk of these complications.
- Eye issues. Some types of JIA can cause eye inflammation, also called uveitis. If not treated, this can lead to cataracts, glaucoma or even blindness. Because eye inflammation often has no warning signs, children with JIA need regular checkups with an eye doctor, called an ophthalmologist.
- Growth problems. JIA can slow a child's growth and affect how bones develop. Some treatments, especially corticosteroids, also can slow growth.