Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis that occurs commonly in adults. But it is found that this condition can also develop in children and is known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It is found in children aged 16 or younger. Juvenile RA or pediatric rheumatology is characterized by the inflammation of the synovium, which is the tissue that lines the inside of your joints.
Juvenile RA is a kind of autoimmune disease. It occurs when your immune system, which protects your body from the attack of foreign substances, attacks your own tissues. This condition is idiopathic, hence, the exact cause for the development of this disease is still unknown. Researchers believe that juvenile RA is related to different factors including genetics, environmental triggers and certain infections.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joints and can cause inflammation, soreness, warmth, and swelling. It can affect any joint and can reduce the mobility of the affected joints.
Types Of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
There are different kinds of juvenile rheumatology diseases. Some of them are listed below:
Systemic Arthritis
This type of pediatric rheumatology is also known as Still’s disease. It can affect the entire body or different systems of the body. The common symptoms of this disease include high fever and rashes. The rashes commonly appear on the trunk, arms and legs. This condition can also affect different internal organs including the liver, heart, spleen, and also lymph nodes. It can affect both boys and girls equally.
Oligoarthritis
Also known by the namepauciarticular juvenile RA, this disease is commonly found to affect only less than five joints almost within the first six months that the child develops the disease. The joints that are most commonly affected includethe ankle, knee, and wrist. Oligoarthritis is also found to affect the eyes, especially the iris. This condition is most commonly found in girls than boys and most of the children will outgrow this particular condition when they become adults.
Polyarthritis
Another name that is used to denote this disease is polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). It can affect at least five joints during the first six months of the development of this disease. It is usually found to affect the same joints on either side of the body. The joints that are commonly affected include jaw, neck, hands, and feet. This condition is more likely to develop in girls than in boys.
It is found that rheumatoid arthritis can also affect children too. There is a wide range of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that can affect different systems and organs in the body. It is important to know their symptoms for determining which condition your child has.
