If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

OVERVIEW

What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a disease. It causes joint pain and swelling. It typically starts before the age of 16 and is long-term.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

Symptoms are different among children. Typically, joints become swollen. Stiff, painful, and warm to the touch. They may start as early as 6 months of age. Your child may limp, especially in the morning when stiffness is the worst. They may have lower back pain and avoid normal activities. Symptoms may come and go. They may be mild or intense. Symptoms can last for a short time or for years. There are different types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Symptoms depend on the type:

• Oligoarticular (Pauciarticular) or “few joints.” This is the most common type of idiopathic arthritis. These are usually the knee, leg, wrist, or jaw. It also can cause inflammation in the eyes. This is called iritis and is common in girls younger than 7. If not treated properly, it can damage vision. Boys older than 8 who have this type of arthritis often have spine and hip problems. This type often goes away in about 50% of cases.
• Polyarticular or “many joints.” This type of arthritis affects 5 or more small joints. This includes joints in the fingers and hands. Symptoms often appear in the same joints on both sides of the body. Other symptoms include a low fever, feeling tired and poor appetite. Your child may have a small rash on the lower torso and upper arms and legs. Some children with this disease have anemia (iron deficiency). In rare cases, this type can cause a child’s organs, such as the liver or spleen, to swell. This type happens more often in girls than in boys. This type only goes away in fewer than half of children who have it.
• Systemic or Still’s disease. This type is the least common. It can affect several areas of the body, including joints and organs. Early symptoms include a rash, chills, and a high fever. Anemia is another common symptom. This type of arthritis is likely to cause long-term joint damage. About half of children who have this type recover. The rest have joint pain and stiffness for many years.
• This type affects the joints located between the bottom of the spine and pelvis. Symptoms resemble adult arthritis.

Serious cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis can affect a child’s growth.  If your child has signs or symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, be sure to take them to your healthcare provider.

CAUSES

What causes juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

The cause of the disease is not known. Healthcare providers suspect it is caused by an autoimmune illness. This is when your body attacks and destroys its own healthy tissue.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How is juvenile idiopathic arthritis diagnosed? Your child’s healthcare provider will likely ask about your child’s symptoms and do a physical exam. Your healthcare provider may do an X-ray or blood test to rule out other illnesses. Your child’s healthcare provider may also want to take a sample of the fluid from an actively inflamed joint or spinal fluid. It may take a few months before your healthcare provider makes a diagnosis. This is so they can watch your child’s symptoms over time.

PREVENTION

Can juvenile idiopathic arthritis be prevented or avoided?

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis cannot be prevented or avoided. Certain lifestyle changes can lessen your child’s discomfort. This includes exercise (walking, biking, and swimming). Warm up before exercising. A physical therapist can offer your child a plan for home exercises. Ask your healthcare provider about seeing a physical therapist for home exercise to reduce pain.

TREATMENT

How is juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated?

Your healthcare provider may recommend medicine for pain and swelling. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Over-the-counter medicine includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID.) This includes ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin). It reduces joint swelling.

If this does not help, your child’s healthcare provider may suggest more powerful NSAIDs. This would be a prescription. For severe symptoms, your child’s healthcare provider may need steroid treatments to reduce swelling. Your child’s healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to treat an autoimmune illness. These medicines slow your child’s immune system to reduce further joint damage.

Children rarely need surgery to treat the disease. Badly damaged joints may require soft tissue surgery. This is if the joints are bent or deformed. Joint replacement surgery can help badly damaged joints. With proper treatment, many children lead full, normal, and symptom-free lives.

Living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Whether your child’s symptoms come and go or are long-lasting some things can help. This includes:

• Taking a hot shower, using a hot or cold pack, or sleeping in a warm bed to relieve stiffness.
• Stretching and do range-of-motion exercises. This reduces joint stiffness and improves flexibility. Exercise at the same time every day. Make it easy. Do it while watching TV or with family members.
• Taking medicine at the right time and consistently. Have your child take their medicine at the same time as another activity. This makes it easy to remember.

Being active is important in managing the disease. Children who have the disease may need emotional support. This is important in managing the anger and sadness of having the disease.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Arthritis Society

Toll-Free: 1-800-321-1433

https://arthritis.ca