Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

D Sircar1, B Ghosh, Alakendu Ghosh

  • 1Institute of Postgraduate Medical Institute and Research (IPGME&R), Kolkata, India.

Indian Pediatrics
|June 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in children under 16 often impacts growth and can involve the heart. Early diagnosis and monitoring are crucial for managing JIA complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Pediatric Immunology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting children.
  • Understanding JIA's clinical spectrum, severity, and immunological aspects is vital for effective management.
  • Growth disturbances and cardiac involvement are potential complications in pediatric JIA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical manifestations, severity, and immunological features of JIA in children under 16.
  • To assess the influence of JIA on growth patterns.
  • To determine the prevalence and significance of cardiac involvement in JIA patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary referral center.
  • Fifty consecutive children under 16 diagnosed with JIA were enrolled.
  • Clinical examinations, Juvenile Arthritis Functional Assessment Scale scoring, blood tests, cardiac evaluations, ophthalmic assessments, and growth pattern analysis were performed.

Main Results:

  • An equal sex ratio was observed overall, with male predominance in systemic and oligoarthritis subtypes.
  • Growth disturbances were frequently noted in children with JIA.
  • Cardiac involvement was identified as a relevant concern in JIA cases.
  • A significant number of patients with Chronic Polyarthritis (PSRA) were diagnosed.

Conclusions:

  • JIA significantly affects growth in affected children.
  • Cardiac evaluation is recommended for children diagnosed with JIA.
  • Early identification of conditions like PSRA is important in children presenting with chronic arthritis.

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