Patient Education
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Information
- Arthritis in children is treatable. It is important to seek treatment from health care professionals who are knowledgeable about childhood arthritis.
- In spite of their diagnosis, most children with arthritis can expect to live normal lives.
- Some children with JIA have their disease go into remission.
- Federal and state programs may provide assistance with school accommodations or services. Ask the rheumatology team about summer camps and opportunities to meet other children with arthritis.
- This condition is not directly inherited from the mother or father.
About 1 child in every 1,000 develops some type of juvenile arthritis. 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.
Growing up with arthritis can be challenging. However, with care from a team of rheumatology professionals, most children with arthritis live full and active lives. There are various types of childhood arthritis, which can last from several months to many years. In every instance, early diagnosis and treatment can help avoid joint damage.
There are many terms used to describe a child with chronic arthritis. These include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. While JIA is used most by specialists in pediatric rheumatology, JRA is commonly used in the United States. Juvenile arthritis may involve one or many joints, and cause other symptoms such as fevers, rash and/or eye inflammation.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
