Juvenile Arthritis

What is juvenile arthritis?

Juvenile arthritis is a name clinicians use to describe a group of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that commonly affect children. There are many types of juvenile arthritis, but the most common is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Once called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, JIA was renamed to more accurately reflect that there’s no known cause. JIA has several subtypes, including oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, systemic, enthesitis-related, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated.

Other conditions under the juvenile arthritis umbrella include:

• Juvenile myositis, which causes muscle weakness and, if juvenile dermatomyositis, rashes on the eyelids and knuckles. 
• Juvenile lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, and other body systems. 
• Juvenile scleroderma, which causes the skin to tighten and harden.
• Vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels. The most common types in kids and teens are Kawasaki disease and Henoch-Schonlein purpura. 
• Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition causing pain, fatigue, and stiffness in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It is more common in girls but rarely diagnosed before puberty. 

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis symptoms

Symptoms will vary depending on the type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Children under the age of 16 may experience one or more of these common symptoms:

• Pain, generalized or specific to a certain area
• Joint swelling and stiffness
• Problems walking, especially in kids who could walk well previously
• Extreme fatigue
• Mood changes, such as irritability or depression

Comprehensive care for children with juvenile arthritis

While there’s no cure for juvenile arthritis, our specialists will help you and your child learn to manage the condition. Your care team will use the latest diagnostic tests and clinical expertise to provide an accurate diagnosis. We offer a range of treatments targeted at your child’s symptoms and disease process to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Our specialists start with the least invasive treatment approach that suits your child’s needs and lifestyle.

Your doctor may recommend:

• Medication to relieve symptoms or alter the disease process
• Physical therapy exercises to strengthen muscles
• A diet that supports nutritional goals

Team care for bone, muscle, or joint pain

Sometimes, pediatric rheumatologists consult with other pediatric specialists to ensure all of your child’s physical and emotional needs are addressed sufficiently.

Your care team may include:

• Pediatric gastroenterologists (doctors who care for problems related to the digestive tract)
• Pediatric ophthalmologists (eye doctors)
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Pediatric nephrologists (kidney doctors)
• Rehabilitation specialists
• Nutrition professionals
• Psychiatrists