Infants and adolescents may suffer from rheumatoid arthritis

It is believed that the rheumatoid arthritis it is a condition of the elderly or the elderly; However, this condition can occur in children and young people, although 60% of people with initial symptoms are between 30 and 50 years old. The Dr. Fedra Irazoque Palazuelos it explains the generalities of the disease.

Although scientists still do not know the exact causes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis , they know that it is associated with anomalies in the immune system , which defends the body from harmful germs, such as bacteria and viruses.

Children and adolescents with rheumatoid arthritis have muscle contractures and Joint pain of variable intensity, being able to vary the intensity of the symptomatology from one day to another and even from morning to evening. Crises or reactivations are episodes in which the disease becomes more active and the symptoms get worse.

Everyday tasks such as writing or dressing are not easy for a patient with this disease And if you do not have adequate treatment, it can cause you work disability. But with the right treatment the biological therapies stop the progression of the condition

Childhood rheumatoid arthritis is divided into 3 types:

Pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

This type of rheumatoid arthritis affects four or less joints , especially larger ones, such as the knee. Approximately half of children and adolescents with rheumatoid arthritis have the pauciarticular type.

It usually starts very early, between lactation and the 5 years old. It is sometimes associated with iridocyclitis, an inflammation in the anterior part of the eye close to the iris (the colored part of the eye). For this reason, the eye exams , even when arthritis is not active.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis polyarticular

It is located in 5 or more joints , usually the smaller size of hands and fingers that tend to swell. It can also affect the knees, the hips , the ankles , the feet and the neck . The joints are affected symmetrically, that is, the same joints on both sides of the body.

The symptom They may also include low-grade fever, tiredness, poor appetite and rheumatoid nodules (bumps) in joints affected.

This type of arthritis causes lasting joint problems and usually requires treatment with strong medication.

Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

It can affect different parts of the body, including internal organs and the joints . It is the least frequent form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis .

The first symptoms are usually high fever (reaches 39.4 º C), chills and a skin rash. It may start at the same time as the fever or may appear several weeks or months after the fever.

Those affected by this disease can be very bad when the fever rises and well during the rest of the day.

Approximately half of the children and adolescents who contract it recover completely, while the other half still have joint symptoms , like pain and seizure for many years.

In some cases, the aftermath of the disease , such as reduced movement, stiffness and joint pain, persist in the Adult stage.

Remember that you doctor and other health professionals are there to support you and can help you control the disease so that it has the least possible impact on your life.


Video Medicine: Pediatrics & Child Health Care : Chronic Arthritis in Children (March 2024).