In rare cases, it can last a lifetime. Juvenile arthritis , or JA , is the term used for all the types of arthritis that affect children. Although we often associate this disorder with the elderly, many forms of arthritis afflict more than 285,000 children in the United States. The most prevalent form of juvenile arthritis is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis , or JRA , affecting approximately 75,000 children in the United States. Read the article below to learn about the symptoms, signs, and treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children.
Research indicates that it is an autoimmune disease.
In autoimmune diseases , white blood cells lose the ability to tell the difference between the body's own healthy cells and tissues and harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses . The immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from these harmful invaders, instead releases chemicals that can damage healthy tissues and cause inflammation and pain. To effectively manage and minimize the effects of arthritis, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential. Understanding the symptoms and characteristics of these subtypes of JRA is the first step you can take in helping your child to maintain an active, productive lifestyle. Typically JRA appears between the ages of 6 months and 16 years.