What is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is defined as persistent arthritis in 1 or more joints for at least three months and occurs in children under 16 years. It is the most common form of arthritis in children and is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. It is a group of disorders that present as chronic joint inflammation. It is not clear what causes JIA, but it is an autoimmune disorder, i.e. the immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks the body's own tissues (in this case joints).
The most common symptoms of JIA are joint swelling, pain and stiffness. JIA can affect any joint and in some cases internal organs as well. The symptoms are usually worse in the morning or after a rest period. The condition may start with a high fever and skin rash and lymph node swelling; or more slowly with a parent noticing a child becoming increasingly clumsy. Most children with JIA have times when the symptoms get better or go away (remission) and other times when they get worse (flare).
Terms: Various terms are/have been used to describe JIA; these include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis & Still’s disease. However, juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the preferred term.
