Children with chronic arthritis suffer from complications

Not only acute rheumatism (low heart) but also rheumatoid arthritis is also dangerous for children because of serious joint damage, leading to disability. The disease is common in people under 16 years old.

Currently, the mechanism of chronic rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown. It is only recorded the presence of some immune antibodies depending on the disease: HLA B27 in 90% of cases of spinal arthritis in children, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in less joint injuries or low factor (RF) in multiple joints. For body disease or multiple arthritis, the mortality rate after 15 years is up to 10-15%.

When a child under the age of 16 comes with a symptom of at least one joint pain and pain that lasts more than 6 weeks, a diagnosis of chronic arthritis in a teen is necessary. Clinically, there are 3 types of pathologies:

Whole body (also called Still disease)

Children often have fever, fatigue, muscle aches all over the body; These symptoms do not decrease when taking regular doses of aspirin. Children may have a rash on their bodies and limbs (90%), but these red rashes will disappear very quickly. Symptoms of arthritis can occur from the beginning or after a few days, often with children suffering from painful joints of the wrists, knees and ankles on both sides. Other lesions can also be seen as a child with lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, polyarthritis such as pleural effusion, pericarditis or glomerulonephritis.

Can damage many joints

This disease starts slowly; There are 3 types as follows:

There is a low factor (1/4 of cases): This can be considered as rheumatoid arthritis in children. Symmetrical arthritis, causing destruction of joints, specific lesions in the hands and feet, but may also occur in all other peripheral joints. If the temporomandibular joint is severely damaged, the nutritional status of the child will be significantly affected.

Antinuclear antibody (ANA): Common in children younger than 5 years old. Symptoms of polyarthritis occur early in the beginning or inflammation of secondary joints diffuses secondary.

There are no immunological signs: In this form, the joints are not swollen, but they become very stiff.

Vulnerable little joints

Early onset: 90% is common in girls. There are 1-4 asymmetrical joint injuries, most commonly the knee, ankle, and wrist joints. The disease can cause cataracts, glaucoma, conjunctival lesions that can lead to blindness.

Late onset form: Common in children with spinal inflammation, 85% occur in boys 10-12 years old. Peripheral arthritis is not symmetrical and usually in the upper limb.

Clinically, if signs of joint swelling are difficult to identify, ultrasound can be used to diagnose. When there is a spill, it is necessary to examine it to test the joint fluid in case of suspected joint infection. X-rays are often not very valuable in the early stages because there are no lesions such as narrowing of joints, destruction of joints or joint defects. Magnetic resonance imaging (IRM) may be indicated for joint effusion that is difficult to identify as a hip joint.

In terms of immunoassay, just finding the presence of low factor and antinuclear antibody is sufficient to identify the disease after a physical examination.

However, it is also necessary to rule out some other pathologies that can cause a similar disease: acute rheumatism, joint infection, tumors, joint damage in the pathology of blood .

Chronic arthritis in children treated with analgesics, anti-inflammatory, corticosteroids ., physical therapy. All must have the guidance and close examination of the doctor.