DISEASES
description
Juvenile arthritis is a disease in which there is inflammation (swelling) of the tissue that lines the inside of joints (called synovium) in children aged 16 or younger. Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease, and while the main feature is joint involvement, other organs can be involved including inflammation of a part of the eye (uveal tract) that can lead to severe visual impairment or even blindness. The presence of anti-cellular antibodies (ACA / ANA) are used as a biomarker to alert the doctor that the likelihood of developing uveitis is high.
Symptoms
- Pain and / or limping (particularly after waking up)
- Joint swelling (often first noticed in larger joints such as the knee)
- Stiffness (the child may appear clumsier than usual, particularly after waking up)
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rash