Arthritis Symptoms in Children

It is a common misconception that arthritis is only a disease of the elderly. The truth is children can also be affected by this health condition that causes chronic joint pain and inflammation. It could be helpful to know that over 285,000 American children suffer from arthritis.

Arthritis in children is commonly called "Juvenile Arthritis". People with this disease under the age of sixteen years are usually classified differently because it is more often different with adults. They experience different symptoms and generally have different diagnosis.Childhood arthritis has three main types, each affecting distinct joints of the body with individual signals of arthritis symptoms.

Polyarticular Disease

The Polyarticular type of juvenile arthritis presents infection of more than five joints of the body thus it is often called "disease of many joints." This is mostly similar to adult rheumatoid arthritis. Usually girls are more affected by this disease than boys. The joints are generally affected symmetrically or both sides, often the small ones in the hands.Symptoms of this disease are low grade fever, weight loss, anemia, and cases of growth problems. At times, children diagnosed with this type are prone to unceasing progressive destruction and damage of the joints.

Pauciarticular Disease

Unlike the first one above, Pauciarticular type of juvenile arthritis affects lesser number joints, thus it is commonly called "a disease of few joints." The most commonly affected body parts are the knees, elbows, wrists and ankles wherein the joints are stressed asymmetrically or one joint on one side. This is the most widespread type of juvenile arthritis with over 50% of children suffering with the disease. Girls are usually affected than boys.

Symptoms of this include low grade fever, poor appetite and anemia. Children with this type are also prone to an inflammatory eye condition, iridocyclitis. Good thing is they generally do well and can cope easily.

Systematic Disease

The systematic type of juvenile arthritis is the least common among the three and affects only 10% of children diagnosed with the disease. This type can affect internal organs and other parts of the body along with the joints.

Symptoms usually start with fevers that come and go, lasting for weeks or months. Skin rashes may also appear on the thighs and chest. Children can also show signs of anemia, fatigue, weight loss, enlargement of spleen and lymph nodes, heart burns and high count of white blood cell.

Juvenile arthritis, like the many other forms of the disease, should be met with proper diagnosis and adequate arthritis treatment. Above anyone else, children are supposed to be enjoying life to the fullest in active mobility.

For more information and tips about joint pain, arthritis symptoms, arthritis treatment, please visit http://www.ultimatejointmobility.com.