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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffJuvenile rheumatoid arthritis, also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis causes persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Some children may experience symptoms for only a few months, while others have symptoms for the rest of their lives. There are several types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, each classified according to:
- The number of joints affected
- The signs and symptoms
- The results of blood tests
Some types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can cause serious complications, such as growth problems and eye inflammation. Treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis focuses on controlling pain, improving function and preventing joint damage.
- Questions and answers about juvenile arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Juv_Arthritis/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 27, 2009.
- Miller ML, et al. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/157224368-3/881801128/1608/462.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50156-0_3615. Accessed Aug. 31, 2009.
- Arthritis in children. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/juvenilearthritis.asp. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Grom AA, et al. Immunopathogenesis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 31, 2009.
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: How is it diagnosed? Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=38&df=diagnosed. Accessed Aug. 31, 2009.
- Lehman TJ. Management of polyarticular onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Juvenile arthritis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00075. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Treatment options. Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=38&df=treatments. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
- JA Alliance. Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/ja-alliance-main.php. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
