Sexual maturation in Egyptian boys and girls with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) exhibit a compromised growth status while information concerning the pattern of their sexual maturity is scant. The aim of the current work was to study sexual maturity in boys and girls with JRA. The study included eighty JRA patients they were 45 male and 35 female and eighty age- and sex-matched normal children served as controls. Development of genitalia was evaluated as per sexual maturity rating criteria given by Tanner score. Development of hair (pubic, axillary and facial) and age of monarch to JRA females were noted The mean (±SD) age of appearance of genitalia stage G-2 in boys with systemic onset JRA (12.0 ± 0.3 years) was earlier when compared with pauciarticular (12.60 ± 0.93 years) and polyarticular (13.39 ± 0.93 years) JRA but delayed for all types of JRA when compared with controls (10.06 ± 0.63 years). In comparison with female groups, the mean (±SD) age of appearance of genitalia stage G-2 with systemic onset JRA (12.0 ± 0.4 years) was also earlier when compared with pauciarticular (12.68 ± 1.09 years) and polyarticular (13.72 ± 0.39 years). Age of menarche delayed in all JRA female patients. None of the study group reach stage G-5 of genitalia development. The timing of initiation of sexual maturity in boys and girls with JRA delayed and this delay variable according to disease subtype.