Juvenile arthritis affects one in 1,000 American children.
A child is generally diagnosed with juvenile arthritis if the signs and symptoms
of arthritis (swelling, redness, stiffness and warmth in the joints) last more
than six weeks. Some children don't feel any pain, but instead experience a
very limited range of motion in their joints as they become stiffer - it may
vary quite a bit for each child. Although this type of arthritis can affect
any joint, it mainly appears in knees, feet, and hands. The good news is that
many kids outgrow it.
There are three main types of juvenile arthritis: pauciarticular, polyarticular
and systemic.
The most common type is pauciarticular. About 50% of children with juvenile
arthritis have this type. It affects four or fewer joints, generally the larger
joints (like hips and knees). It's more common in girls, and it usually starts
by age four or earlier.
Polyarticular arthritis is the next most common type, affecting about 30% of
children with juvenile arthritis. It's a more severe type than pauciarticular,
involving five or more joints, usually the smaller ones (such as hands and feet).
About 20% of children have the last type, systemic. In addition to the typical
arthritis symptoms, it also causes fever and may affect internal organs like
the liver and heart.
When doctors treat children with juvenile arthritis, their main concern is
to keep them active and moving, so that they're able to get the most out of
life. Some of the same medications used for rheumatoid arthritis in adults may
be recommended. Physiotherapy also plays an important role in keeping their
joints as limber as possible.