Rheumatoid arthritis in children

Rheumatoid arthritis in children, although not popular, is very complicated. Parents of children suffering from joint damage from early childhood, face enormous problems, as do the children themselves. It is worth noting that joint disease leads not only to their deformation and limited mobility, but also to a complete delay in the child's development. Constant stay in medical institutions affects the child's lagging behind in school education. All this, in the end, leads to emotional disorders.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Causes and clinical picture of the disease

To date, 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, unable to resist viral and infectious attacks and increased sensitivity of the body to external irritants, the so-called autoantigen-autoantibody reaction, a complex autoimmune mechanism of an inflammatory nature.

Clinically, the manifestations of this disease are as follows:

• the child constantly complains of pain in the limbs, especially in the morning;
• severe pain and swelling of large joints, mainly knees, later elbows and ankles. At first, the disease manifests itself in one joint. After some time, the process is parallel, moving to the elbow joints. After six months of disease progression, pain and swelling can also be observed in the small joints of the fingers and toes.
• limited mobility of the affected joint due to severe pain;
• joint deformation;
• muscular dystrophy.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Diagnostic measures for rheumatoid arthritis

Laboratory clinical blood parameters, synovial fluid biopsy and X-ray images of joints allow diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in children. The blood clinic has positive results of rheumatoid tests, increased fibrinogen and protein called C-reactive. Increased ESR data provide additional information.

X-ray images of the joints clearly show osteoporotic changes, a decrease in the size of the joint space, and erosiveness of the periarticular part of the bone.

[ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Treatment of children with rheumatoid arthritis

It is carried out only under the supervision of a rheumatologist and, as a rule, it implies the child's stay in hospital, especially during periods of exacerbation of the disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which are often administered as intra-articular injections.

The treatment complex consists of a whole range of procedures aimed at comprehensive relief of the situation. These include general strengthening medications, along with non-specific anti-inflammatory drugs, special massage and physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise and a special diet, muscle relaxants and psychological assistance to the child, which helps to cope with emotional overload.

Complete recovery depends on the severity of the disease and its degree of expression, the stage at which treatment was started, age indicators and gender. Most often, rheumatoid arthritis in children goes into a protracted stage, proceeds with constant exacerbations. In general, a favorable outcome is always possible with timely initiation of treatment, a properly selected rehabilitation course and patiently and painstakingly following all medical recommendations by parents.

Prevention of arthritis in children

Perhaps the main preventive method is regular visits to the doctor, careful observation of the child in his daily life. At any suspicion of pain in the joints, you should immediately contact the pediatrician. Rheumatoid arthritis in children, like any other disease, is easier to prevent than to fight its consequences.