Kids get arthritis, too, just like adults, and the intensity and severity of the pain is no less. July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. Please pay attention as I discuss this critical condition in children. 

WHAT IS JUVENILE ARTHRITIS?

It is joint inflammation/swelling in children less than 16 years. Juvenile arthritis is an umbrella term with many different types grouped under it. The most common type is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. About 300,000 children in the USA alone have some arthritis.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

The exact cause is unknown. However, most tend to have an autoimmune component meaning the body’s immune system does not work well and attacks healthy cells in the joints and other organs. Also, there is a genetic factor to juvenile arthritis, and individuals with the affected genes may be triggered by various factors like infections leading to the development of Juvenile Arthritis. 

WHAT COULD INDICATE YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE THIS DISEASE?

Joint pain and swelling

Morning stiffness of joints.

Recurrent spiking fevers.

Fatigues/tiredness.

Poor appetite.

Skin rash.

Inflammation of the eye manifests as poor vision, redness, eye pain, dryness, or light sensitivity.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS?

There is no cure for Juvenile arthritis.

The available treatments aim to relieve symptoms, improve function, and prevent joint damage.

Treatment to relieve symptoms includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and other pain relievers.

Treatment to control the disease and prevent further joint damage includes corticosteroids and Disease-Modifying Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (DMARDs).

Other non-medication therapies include exercises with low joint impact (e.g., swimming, walking, biking, yoga), Physical therapy, and a healthy diet.

A dedicated team is required to care for a child with Juvenile arthritis. The Pediatric Rheumatologist leads that team. Other team members are the: Physical therapist, Occupational therapist, Nutritionist, Ophthalmologist, Psychologist, and Pediatrician.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT YOUR CHILD WITH JUVENILE ARTHRITIS?

Juvenile arthritis is a long-term disease with long-term therapies. Your child and the entire family would require a lot of support through the good times and the flare-ups that can occur in this condition.

To support your child, I would recommend that:

• Learn all you can about the condition to be an informed and active participant in the health care team. Important sources of information include the healthcare team, the Arthritis Foundation https://www.arthritis.org/juvenile-arthritis.
• Join Arthritis support groups.
• Be honest with your child about the treatments they will receive and, if appropriate, give options in their treatment plans.
• Adjust family plans as needed when flare-ups occur.

There is ongoing research into the various types of juvenile arthritis to aid the understanding of these conditions.