children s health issues
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Introduction
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a group of related childhood diseases that begin by age 16 and involve persistent or recurring inflammation of the joints. Certain forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis may cause fever, rash, and lymph node swelling and may affect the heart. Diagnosis is based on the child's symptoms and a physical examination because there is no single definitive laboratory test to diagnose the disease. Children receive drugs to reduce inflammation and treat pain. Physical therapy, including flexibility exercises, helps enhance joint movement. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a group of uncommon diseases characterized by inflammation of joints (arthritis). JIA may also affect other organs or connective tissue. Although most children who have JIA have a disease that is different than Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) , a small percentage of children who have JIA do have a disease that is similar to adult rheumatoid arthritis. The cause of JIA is unknown. Although JIA is not considered a hereditary disorder, hereditary factors may increase a child's chance of developing it. JIA is not due to an infection as some kinds of arthritis are. 