Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Definition

Definition of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is arthritis that affects children who are less than 16 years old. It is also called childhood arthritis.

1. Arthritis means “joint swelling” or “joint inflammation.” Arthritis leads to pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of motion in the joints.
2. “Idiopathic” means that we do not know the cause.

There are many different types of arthritis. Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) is one type. Arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of motion in the joints. Enthesitis (say: en-tha-SIE-tis) is swelling or inflammation where tendons or ligaments attach to bone. Both enthesitis and arthritis can be seen together in ERA.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Children with ERA have pain, swelling, or stiffness in joints (arthritis). The arthritis is mainly in the lower limbs (the hip, knee, and foot). Arthritis in the back (spondylitis) and the base of the spine at the sacroiliac joint (sacroiliitis) is not as common at first, but can occur later. Children with spondylitis or sacroiliitis often complain of lower back or buttock pain that is worse with rest and better with activity. Arthritis can also occur in the upper limbs, especially the shoulders.

Causes

Causes of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The exact cause of the disease and its mode of transmission remain unknown. Extraarticular infection is sometimes reported as a triggering factor. There is also the association with the presence the human major histocompatibility antigen HLA-B27, but the role of this antigen in disease determination remains hypothetical. Although around 70% of patients test positive for HLA-B27, this finding is not conclusive for the diagnosis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The doctor will ask you about your child's symptoms and medical history. The doctor will also do a physical exam to see if your child has any signs of joint inflammation. They may suspect ERA when a child has joint pain and swelling, especially in the lower limbs: pain in the lower back or buttocks; or signs of enthesitis for more than 6 weeks. The doctor will usually order blood tests, X-rays, and sometimes additional tests, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to help diagnose the disease.

Treatment

Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
ERA is treated with various types of medicine:

1. Some medicine can improve symptoms of inflammation. It helps to reduce pain and stiffness and improve movement in the joints.
2. Some people with ERA need stronger medicine that suppresses the immune system and helps to control inflammation and prevent joint damage.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Consult with your doctor.

Prevention

Prevention of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Consult with your doctor.