July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

STEVENS POINT, WI (OnFocus) The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) says about 1 child in every 1,000 develops some type of chronic arthritis. These disorders can affect children at any age, although rarely in the first six months of life. It is estimated that around 300,000 children in the United States have been diagnosed with the condition.

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is not a disease in itself. Also known as pediatric rheumatic disease, JA is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions or pediatric rheumatic diseases that can develop in children under the age of 16, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

“There are several types of juvenile arthritis, and all involve chronic joint inflammation with symptoms lasting more than 6 weeks,” says Dr. Lisa Barry, pediatrician with Aspirus Plover Clinic.

Here are some common symptoms of JA, according to the ACR:

• Joints may look red or swollen and feel stiff, painful, tender, and warm. This can cause difficulty moving or completing everyday tasks.
• Eyes may experience dryness, redness, sensitivity to light and trouble seeing properly.
• Skin symptoms may include a scaly red rash (psoriatic), light spotted pink rash (systemic), butterfly shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks or thick (lupus), hardened patches of skin (scleroderma).
• Internal organs, such as the digestive tract (diarrhea and bloating), lungs (shortness of breath) and heart, can be affected.
• Other symptoms may include fatigue, appetite loss and high spiking fever.

“It’s unclear what exactly causes juvenile arthritis or how to prevent the condition from occurring, but it is treatable,” says Dr. Barry.

The primary goal of all treatment options is to induce remission of the arthritis. Treatment also focuses on preserving children’s quality of life by making it possible for them to participate in play, sports, school, and social activities.

“Children experiencing symptoms of juvenile arthritis are often referred to a pediatric rheumatology specialist to help with diagnosis and management,” adds Dr. Barry.

If your child is experiencing symptoms of JA, don’t hesitate to talk with their primary care provider. Dr. Barry cares for patients at Aspirus Plover Clinic-Vern Holmes Drive. Call 715-344-1600 to schedule an appointment.

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