Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Also known as JRA – is characterized by joint swelling
and pain or tenderness, this inflammatory disorder of the connective tissue
is most common in children ages 2 to 5 and ages 9 to 12. This disorder
is considered the major chronic rheumatic disorder of childhood and affects
over 150,000 in the United States . Affecting twice as high i girls
Symptoms:
Possible signs-
Fever
Malaise
Red macular rash on face, trunk, and extremities
Arthralgia (joint pain), joint stiffness, swelling
and mild warmth with some limitation of movement of involved joints.
Hepatosplenomegaly, abdominal pain
Lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes)
Pleurisy, dyspnea
Pericarditis, tachycardia
Growth disturbances
Diagnostic test:
Complete Blood Count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Antinuclear antibody test
Treatment:
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Physical therapy
Carefully planned nutrition and exercise
Regular eye examinations
Surgery is usually limited to soft tissue releases
to improve joint mobility.
Usually, the prognosis for JRA is good though
disabilities can occur.