Childhood arthritis, also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is a rare disease that occurs in children up to 16 years of age and causes inflammation of one or more joints, causing symptoms such as joint pain, swelling and redness, and can also affect other organs such as skin, heart, lung, eyes and kidneys.
Juvenile arthritis is rare and, although its causes are not yet quite known, it is known to be associated with changes in the immune system, genetics and certain infections by viruses or bacteria; however, idiopathic arthritis is not contagious or transmitted from parent to child..
- It can be divided into different types.
- Depending on the number of joints affected and the signs and symptoms it causes in other parts of the body:.
The main symptoms of childhood arthritis include
Some children may not complain of joint pain, and as a result, there may be signs that arthritis limping, is very quiet, or has difficulty using their hands to perform delicate movements, such as writing or painting.
Diagnosing childhood arthritis is not always easy, as there is no blood test to identify the disease, as in the case of adults, so your doctor may do several tests to rule out certain hypotheses until you reach your childhood arthritis diagnosis.
The main cause of childhood arthritis is a change in the child’s immune system that causes the body to attack the membrane of the joint, causing injury and inflammation that cause the destruction of the membrane of the joint.
However, the problem is not hereditary and is therefore nothing more than from parents to children, with the existence of a single case being common in the family.
Treatment of childhood arthritis should be guided by a pediatric rheumatologist, but it usually begins with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, for example, with doses adapted to the child’s weight.
However, when these drugs have no effect, your doctor may also prescribe special remedies that delayed the development of the disease, acting on immunity, such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine or sulfasalazine, which help relieve symptoms and prevent new joint injuries.immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine or cyclophosphamide or new injectable biological therapies, such as infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab.
When childhood arthritis affects a single joint, the rheumatologist may also prescribe corticosteroid injections, such as prednisone, to supplement treatment with other medications and relieve symptoms for a few months.
In addition, children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis also need psychological support and family support, as they may have emotional and social difficulties. The intellectual development of the arthritic child is normal, so he or she should normally attend school, who must know the situation of the child to facilitate his adaptation and social integration.
It is also very important to perform physical therapy for rehabilitation, with exercises that help restore joint mobility, so that the child can perform activities such as walking, writing and feeding without difficulty.It is also important to be flexible and strong.