Rheumatoid arthritis in children

The disease of rheumatoid arthritis in children, although not popular, but very complex. Parents of children suffering from joint damage from early childhood, face enormous problems, as, actually, the children themselves. It is worth noting that the disease of the joints rides not only to their deformation and limitation of mobility, but also to a complete delay in the development of the child. The constant stay in medical institutions affects the child's retardation from school education. All this, in the end, leads to emotional disturbances.

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Causes and clinical signs of the disease

Until now, the exact reasons for the development of rheumatoid arthritis in children have not been fully clarified. Several provoking factors are considered: hereditary predisposition, weakened immunity, incapable of resisting viral and infectious attacks and an increased sensitivity of the organism to external stimuli, the so-called autoantigen autoantibody reaction, a complex autoimmune mechanism of an inflammatory nature.

Clinically, the manifestations of this disease are as follows: 

• Constant complaints of the child to pain in the limbs, especially in the morning; 
• severe tenderness and swelling of large joints, mainly knee, later ulnar and ankle. Initially, the disease manifests itself on one joint. After a while, the process is parallel, moving to the elbow joints. After six months of the disease progression, pain and swelling can also be observed on the small joints of the fingers and toes. 
• restriction of mobility of the affected joint due to severe tenderness; 
• deformation of the joints; 
• muscular dystrophy.

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Diagnostic measures for rheumatoid arthritis

Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in children allows laboratory clinical blood counts, synovial fluid biopsy and radiographic images of joints. In the blood clinic there are positive results of rheumatic test, fibrinogen and protein are overstated, which is called C-reactive. Additional information is provided by increased data on ESR.

On radiographic images of the joints, osteoporotic changes are clearly visible, a decrease in the size of the joint gap, and the erosiveness of the periarticular bone.

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Treatment of children with rheumatoid arthritis

It is conducted only under the guidance of a rheumatologist and, as a rule, it implies the presence of the child in the hospital, especially during the period of exacerbation of the disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which are often administered as intra-articular injections.

The treatment complex consists of a number of procedures aimed at comprehensive alleviation of the situation. These are general restorative drugs, along with nonspecific anti-inflammatory drugs, special massage and physiotherapy, exercise therapy and a special diet, muscle relaxants and psychological help to a child that helps cope with emotional overload.

Complete recovery depends on the severity of the disease and the degree of severity, from the stage at which treatment was started, on the age and gender. Most often this rheumatoid arthritis in children passes into a protracted stage, proceeds with constant exacerbations. In general, a favorable outcome is always possible with the timely start of treatment, a properly selected recovery course and patiently diligent observance of all medical recommendations from the parents.

Prevention of arthritis in children

Perhaps the main preventive method is a regular visit to the doctor, careful observation of the child in his daily life. If you suspect any pain in the joints, you should immediately contact the pediatrician. Rheumatoid arthritis in children, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than to deal with its consequences.