Most of the people live in a misconception that arthritis is a condition for older people only and it dose not exists in children. But this is not the actual truth, an arthritic condition may be faced by a children and hence, it is very essential to have the proper knowledge of signs, symptoms, and treatment of arthritis in order to prevent its occurrence.
Due to lack of proper and adequate about arthritis in children, the arthritic condition in children are often ignored thinking that arthritis is not possible. But due to this ignorance, in most of the cases arthritis is diagnosed in its later stage when there is no time left for treatment that results in putting the children in a wheelchair.
Types of Arthritis in Children
Arthritis in children is often referred as Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that includes different types of arthritis in kids such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis and others. However, basically there are seven types common of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that can be discussed:
Systemic JIA:
One of the most common types of JIA that affects aver 10 percent of children with arthritic condition and shows the symptoms such as repeating fever followed by periodic salmon-colored rashes. In addition to that systemic JIA can also result in inflammation of internal organs along with the joints. However, swelling in joints may appear months after the first symptom of fever is diagnosed.
Oligoarticular JIA:
Oligoarticular JIA is known to affect half of the children affects from JIA which begins in less than five joints in the initial phase and risks the girls more than the boys. However, the older children can develop an extended form of Oligoarticular JIA that can affect multiple joints in the body. Mostly, children below 7 years has more risk of developing Oligoarticular JIA and the symptoms includes Eye inflammation leading to low vision condition.
Polyarticular JIA:
Polyarticular JIA in kids affect five or more than five joints in the beginning and may develop at any age. This is more or less similar to rheumatoid arthritis common in adults.
Psoriatic Arthritis:
Psoriatic Arthritis in children is a combination of both arthritis and psoriasis (a skin condition) or can often occur to a child having a family history of psoriasis. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include swelling and spreading of nails and inflammation in toes and fingers, a condition called dactylitis.
Enthesitis-Related Arthritis:
Enthesitis-Related Arthritis another form of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that leads to attachment of ligaments and the spine. This condition is sometimes also referred to as spondyloarthropathy. The symptoms of Enthesitis-Related Arthritis include joint pain without swelling and may also result in back pain and stiffness.
Undifferentiated arthritis:
Undifferentiated arthritis are those types of arthritis that do not fit under any type of JIA mentioned above or has the symptoms of more than one type of arthritis.
Symptoms of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA):
However, arthritis in children i.e. JIA is very difficult to diagnose due to lack of some specific diagnostic tool or technique and the swellings are often ignored for few days. This is the reason why JIA is still diagnosed by the traditional methods such as physical findings, medical history of family and child and other symptoms. The basic symptoms that of JIA can be:
However, there is no specific treatment for arthritis present until but this can be treated if diagnosed in its early stage. The treatment of arthritis in children is similar to that in adults. Daily exercise, yoga and regular physical activities can prove quite beneficial in recovering a child from arthritic condition.
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