Arthritis in children

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goodtoknow says: Arthritis isn't just something that affects old people. Over 12,000 children in the UK under the age of 16 suffer with this condition too. Most childhood arthritis comes under the umbrella terms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). But it doesn't have to limit your child's life. The good news is that excellent treatment is available and in most cases children recover from juvenile arthritis with few long-term problems.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of arthritis from patient.co.uk, read on.

Arthritis isn't just something that adults get. Children get it too. Most childhood arthritis comes under the umbrella terms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). But it doesn't have to limit your child's life.

What is childhood arthritis?

As with adult arthritis child sufferers get swelling of the joints, with pain or stiffness. The causes aren't known and it can strike at any age. It can be acute or chronic. There are three sorts of juvenile arthritis:

1. Oligoarticular - affects four or fewer joints in the child's body, normally the larger joints such as the ankles, wrists and knees and affects boys and girls, but girls with this condition are at a higher risk of an eye condition, uveitis, which will need specialist care. Children with this sort of arthritis do suffer with swollen or painful joints but they won't be severely unwell. Some children will develop joint damage, but the majority get better and grow up to lead ordinary lives.

2. Polyarticular or polyarthritis ? this affects mainly joints, normally more than five such as the wrists, ankles, knees and fingers. It spreads from one joint to another fairly rapidly causing stiffness, inflammation and pain. This type affects more girls than boys. It can start at any age from a few months old. Children may also experience a fever and rash.

3. Systemic, juvenile form of rheumatoid arthritis ? also called Still's disease this affects the whole body of both boys and girls of any age. It starts with symptoms such as tiredness, a fever, a non-itchy rash, and enlarged glands and is often mistaken for an infection at the beginning. Any number of joints can be affected which will be painful but not swollen.