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Growth and menarche during remission in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Wioleta Umławska1, Monika Krzyzanowska
1Katedra Antropologii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego, ul. Kuźnicza 35, 50-138 Wrocław. wilota@antropo.uni.wroc.pl
Insights
Growth retardation in juvenile chronic arthritis patients is linked to long-term glucocorticosteroid use. Regular monitoring of physical development is crucial for managing the disease and treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) frequently leads to growth retardation in affected children.
- Understanding factors influencing physical development is critical for managing JCA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of JCA subtype, disease duration, and therapy on children's physical development.
- To identify specific treatment or disease characteristics associated with growth disturbances.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 71 children (24 boys, 47 girls) with JCA in Wrocław was studied.
- Anthropometric parameters including height, weight, and BMI were measured and compared to reference values.
- Disease remission status and treatment history, particularly glucocorticosteroid use, were recorded.
Main Results:
- 4.3% of children exhibited short stature.
- Growth inhibition was observed exclusively in children treated with glucocorticosteroids for over one year.
- The mean age of menarche in girls was comparable to the reference group, showing no significant delay.
Conclusions:
- Long-term glucocorticosteroid therapy is associated with growth retardation in children with JCA.
- The severity of the disease likely influences both the need for glucocorticosteroids and growth outcomes.
- Continuous assessment of physical development is integral to comprehensive JCA management and treatment evaluation.
Background:
Growth retardation is a common complication of juvenile chronic arthritis.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine how physical development in children with juvenile chronic arthritis is affected by the subtype and duration of the disease, and by the type of therapy used.
Material And Methods:
The study group included 71 children, 24 boys and 47 girls, ranging in age from five to eighteen years diagnosed and treated with juvenile chronic arthritis in Wrocław. At the time the subjects were examined, the disease was in remission. Anthropometric parameters were expressed in terms of standard deviations score using age and sex-specific reference values for Warsaw children. Anthropometric parameters measured included body height, body weight and BMI.
Results:
4.3% of the children were short in stature. Growth was inhibited only in those subjects that had been receiving glycocorticosteroids for more than one year. This can probably be attributed both to the effects of glycocorticosteroid treatment, and to the fact that the course of the disease in these children was severe enough to warrant the use of glycocorticosteroids, in the first place. The mean age of menarche for the girls in the study group was 12.8 years. This was not statistically different from the mean for the reference group.
Conclusion:
Regular evaluation of physical development is an essential component of the protocol for monitoring the progress of the disease and the effect of the therapeutic strategy used, in children suffering from juvenile chronic arthritis.
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