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[Physical development in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis]
Wioleta Umławska1, Joanna Michałowska, Maria Podwysocka-Harasimowicz
1Katedra Antropologii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego. wilota@antropo.uni.wroc.pl
Insights
Long-term corticosteroid therapy in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is linked to growth retardation. This study highlights the negative impact of steroids on physical development in children with JIA.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Context:
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a significant pediatric rheumatic condition.
- Understanding the impact of JIA and its treatment on physical development is crucial for patient management.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effects of JIA subtypes and therapeutic interventions on the physical development of affected children.
- To identify specific treatment modalities associated with growth disturbances.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 82 children (4-18 years) diagnosed with JIA in Poland.
- While overall height and weight were not significantly different, long-term corticosteroid treatment (>1 year) negatively impacted body height and weight.
- Significant reductions in chest depth and width were observed, with 6% experiencing serious growth disorders.
Impact:
- Findings underscore a strong correlation between prolonged corticosteroid use and growth retardation in children with JIA.
- This emphasizes the need for careful monitoring and consideration of alternative treatments to mitigate long-term side effects.
Introduction:
Juvenile chronic arthritis (JIA) is a major paediatric rheumatic disease.
Aim Of The Study:
The aim of this study was to determine how physical development in children with JIA was affected by the subtype of the disease and by the type of therapy used.
Material And Methods:
Data were collected at the Sunbeam Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Illnesses in Wrocław, Poland. The study group included 82 children from 4 to 18 years old that were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The duration of the disease ranged from 3 months to 15 years, with a mean of 2.9+/-2,8 years. At the time the subjects were examined, the disease was either very mild, inactive or in remission. Because the subjects varied in terms of age, all data were standardized and recorded in terms of numbers of standard deviations away from the age-specific and sex-specific means for the reference group, which consisted of healthy children and adolescents from Warsaw, Poland.
Results:
In the subjects in this study, height and weight were insignificantly lower than in their healthy peers. Body height and body weight were negatively affected only in children treated with corticosteroids for more than one year. Serious growth disorders were observed in 5 subjects (6%). Chest depth and chest width were significantly lower.
Conclusions:
Strong relationship between the growth retardation and long-term steroid therapy has been pointed out.
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