Date updated: June 01, 2009
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Also called: Arthritis in Children, Childhood Arthritis, Oligoarthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), or juvenile arthritis, is not a single disease, but a group of diseases.

Juvenile Arthritis is also known as Arthritis in Children, Childhood Arthritis and Oligoarthritis.

What they all have in common is chronic joint inflammation. Besides this common feature, these diseases are very different in their symptoms, their treatments, and their outcomes.

* Pauciarticular disease affects only a few joints, fewer than 5. The large joints, such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, are most likely to be affected. This type of JRA is most common in children younger than 8 years. Children who develop this disease have a 20-30% chance of developing inflammatory eye problems and need frequent eye examinations. Children who develop this disease when older than 8 years have a higher-than-normal risk of developing an adult form of arthritis. About 50% of all children with JRA have this type.

* Polyarticular disease affects 5 joints or more, sometimes many more. The small joints such as those in the hands and feet are most likely to be affected. This type can begin at any age. In some cases, the disease is identical to adult-type RA. This type accounts for about 30% of cases of JRA.

* Systemic disease affects many systems of the body. Children may have high fevers, skin rashes, and problems caused by inflammation of the internal organs such as the heart, spleen, liver, and other parts of the digestive tract. It usually, but not always, begins in early childhood. Medical professionals sometimes call this as Still’s disease. This type accounts for about 20% of cases of JRA.

Children with JRA may experience complications specific to their type of JRA.