Disease or Syndrome
juvenile arthritis
ju·ve·nile ar·thri·tis [ joo-vuh-nl, -nahyl ahr-thrahy-tis ]
Subclass of:
Autoimmune Diseases;
Rheumatism;
Arthritis
Also called:
Childhood arthritis; JRA; Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; Still's disease
Definitions related to juvenile arthritis:
-
Juvenile arthritis (JA) is arthritis that happens in children. It causes joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. It can affect any joint, but is more common in the knees, hands, and feet. In some cases it can affect internal organs as well. The most common type of JA that children get is juvenile idiopathic arthritis. There are several other forms of arthritis affecting children. One early sign of JA may be limping in the morning. Symptoms can come and go. Some children have just one or two flare-ups. Others have symptoms that never go away. JA can cause growth problems and eye inflammation in some children. No one knows exactly what causes JA. Most types are autoimmune disorders. This means that your immune system, which normally helps your body fight infection, attacks your body's own tissues. JA can be hard to diagnose. Your health care provider may do a physical exam, lab tests, and x-rays. A team of providers usually treats JA. Medicines and physical therapy can help maintain movement and reduce swelling and pain. They may also help prevent and treat complications. NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin DiseasesMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
(arthritis, juvenile) Arthritis in children, with onset before 16 years of age. The terms juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refer to classification systems for chronic arthritis in children. Only one subtype of juvenile arthritis (polyarticular-onset, rheumatoid factor-positive) clinically resembles adult rheumatoid arthritis and is considered its childhood equivalent.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
(juvenile idiopathic arthritis) A group of chronic, inflammatory childhood disorders of unknown etiology that primarily involve joints.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
(juvenile idiopathic arthritis) An umbrella term for arthritis of unknown etiology that begins before the sixteenth birthday, and persists for at least six weeks; other known conditions are excluded. Categories include: systemic, oligoarticular, polyarticular rheumatoid factor positive, polyarticular rheumatoid factor negative, psoriatic, enthesitis-related, or undifferentiated.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a group of rheumatic diseases that begins by age 16. Arthritis, fever, rash, adenopathy, splenomegaly, and iridocyclitis are typical of some forms. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment involves intra-articular corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
-
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common chronic rheumatologic disease in children and is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood (see the image below). The etiology is unknown, and the genetic component is complex, making clear distinctions between the various subtypes difficult.WebMD, 2019
-
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
-
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes pain and swelling in a child's joints. When the immune system attacks the tissues of the joints, the resulting inflammation can cause joint damage, resulting in the pain and swelling characteristic of the disease. Some children who have juvenile idiopathic arthritis are...National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
-
A collection of chronic pediatric arthropathies characterized by onset before 16 years of age and the presence of objective arthritis (in one or more joints) for at least 6 weeks. Arthritis of joints is defined by swelling or effusion, increased warmth, and/or painful limited movement with or without tenderness.Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> J
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.