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Alternative names
Juvenile chronic polyarthritis; JRA; Still's diseaseDefinition Return to top
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory disease resulting in joint pain and inflammation. It may result in joint damage. It usually occurs before age 16.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis in children. It occurs in between 50-100 per 100,000 children in the United States. JRA is a general term for the most common types of arthritis in children. It is divided in to several categories:
Symptoms Return to top
Arthritis symptoms:Systemic JRA symptoms:
JRA can also cause eye inflammation. These symptoms include:
Signs and tests Return to top
The physical examination shows swollen, warm, and tender joints that hurt to move. The child may have a rash. Other signs include an enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, or swollen lymph nodes.
Blood tests may include:
The doctor may need to tap a joint. This means that they will put a small needle into a joint that is swollen. This can help to find the cause of the arthritis. By removing fluid, the joint may feel better, too. Sometimes, the doctor will inject steroids into the joint to help decrease the swelling.
Other tests:
Treatment Return to top
The goal is to preserve mobility and joint function and support the patient and family through a long chronic illness.Note: Talk to your health care provider before giving aspirin or NSAIDS to children!
Physical therapy and exercise programs may be recommended. Surgical procedures may be indicated, including joint replacement.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
JRA is seldom life-threatening. Long periods of spontaneous remission are typical. Often, JRA improves or goes into remission at puberty. Approximately 75% of JRA patients eventually enter remission with minimal functional loss and deformity.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you notice symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Also call your health care provider if symptoms worsen, do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop.Prevention Return to top
There is no known prevention for JRA. Update Date: 9/11/2003 Updated by: Megan E. B. Clowse, M.D., M.P.H., Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |