What Is Pediatric Arthritis?

Pediatric arthritis is a type of rheumatic disease, and encompasses several disorders. Rheumatic diseases typically attack the connective tissues (e.g. joints) and the immune system. According to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, more than 300,000 children suffer from pediatric arthritis disorders in the United States alone.

Types

• The myriad diseases classified as pediatric arthritis disorders include rheumatic fever, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile ankylosing spondylitis, lupus and fibromyalgia.

Causes

• Inherited genetic disorders, trauma, hormonal imbalances and infections are just some of the events that can trigger pediatric arthritis.

Health Professionals

• Your child will have treatment from at least one medical professional, but more likely several. Pediatricians, family care doctors, rheumatologists and physical and occupational therapists are typically involved with treatment plans.

Considerations

• Rheumatoid diseases can affect anyone of any age, but pediatric arthritis disorders usually appear in a child before the age of 15. Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis is more common in boys and lupus is more likely to strike girls.

Identification

• The symptoms of pediatric arthritis are similar to those of several other disorders, so it is important to have your child evaluated if she displays persistent fevers, fatigue, joint pain and swelling, immobility and/or redness or heat near a joint.