In order to make a diagnosis of JRA, the arthritis must have been constantly present for six or more consecutive weeks. The doctor may also wish to rule out other possible causes of arthritis through various tests . Many viral infections can lead to temporary joint problems in children, but in these cases the arthritis usually goes away rapidly. Other diseases can cause arthritis. Sometimes a bacterial infection of bone or cartilage can cause joint swelling or pain.
Prompt diagnosis is important to allow proper antibiotic treatment.
The doctor may also want to know if other members of the family have had any other form of arthritis, since some forms may be inherited. In a few cases, a physically healthy child experiencing acute emotional stress may complain of sore joints. An ophthalmologist may also need to examine your child's eyes to check for signs of iridocyclitis. Although there are several laboratory tests that may support a diagnosis of JRA, there is no single test that provides positive proof one way or another. If the diagnosis is particularly hard to make, the doctor may do additional tests to rule out other diseases.