Aspirus Health Reminds Parents that Children Can Suffer From Arthritis
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 -- 10:01 AM
These disorders can affect children at any age, although rarely in the first six months of life. It is estimated that around 300,000 children in the United States have been diagnosed with the condition. Juvenile arthritis is not a disease in itself.
Also known as pediatric rheumatic disease, JA is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions or pediatric rheumatic diseases that can develop in children under the age of 16, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Here are some common symptoms of JA, according to the ACR: Joints may look red or swollen and feel stiff, painful, tender, and warm. This can cause difficulty moving or completing everyday tasks.
Eyes may experience dryness, redness, sensitivity to light and trouble seeing properly. Skin symptoms may include a scaly red rash (psoriatic), light spotted pink rash (systemic), butterfly shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks or thick (lupus), hardened patches of skin (scleroderma).
Internal organs, such as the digestive tract (diarrhea and bloating), lungs (shortness of breath) and heart, can be affected. Other symptoms may include fatigue, appetite loss and high spiking fever.
The primary goal of all treatment options is to induce remission of the arthritis. Treatment also focuses on preserving children's quality of life by making it possible for them to participate in play, sports, school, and social activities.
If your child is experiencing symptoms of JA, don’t hesitate to talk with their primary care provider.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.