Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
(Part 1)
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), often referred to by doctors
today as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), is a type of arthritis that
causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than six weeks in
a child aged 16 or younger.
Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and soreness in
the joints, although many children with JRA do not complain of
joint pain. Any joint can be affected, and inflammation may limit
the mobility of affected joints.
JRA is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the body
mistakenly identifies some of its own cells and tissues as foreign.
The immune system, which normally helps to fight off harmful,
foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses, begins to attack
healthy cells and tissues. The result is inflammation — marked by
redness, heat, pain, and swelling.
Researchers still don’t know exactly why the immune system goes
awry in children who develop JRA, although they suspect that it’s
a two-step process.
First, something in a child’s genetic makeup gives them a
tendency to develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
Then an environmental factor, such as a virus, triggers the
development of JRA.
JRA may cause fever and anemia, and can also affect the heart,
lungs, eyes, and nervous system.
Arthritic episodes can last for several weeks and may recur,
although the symptoms tend to be less severe during later
recurrent attacks.
Treatment is similar to that for adults, with an additional heavy
emphasis on physical therapy and exercise to keep growing
bodies active. Many of the strong medicines used for adults,
though, aren’t usually needed for JRA. Permanent damage from
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is now rare, and most affected
children recover from the disease fully without experiencing any
lasting disabilities. (To be continued)