Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), formerly known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), refers to a group of chronic inflammatory joint conditions that affect children under the age of 16.

Oligoarticular JIA: Most common, affecting fewer than five joints.
Polyarticular JIA: Affects five or more joints, subdivided into rheumatoid factor-positive and rheumatoid factor-negative.
Systemic JIA: Involves arthritis and systemic symptoms like fever, rash, and inflammation of internal organs.
Enthesitis-related JIA: Inflammation at tendon and ligament insertion sites.
Psoriatic JIA: Affects joints and may involve skin and nail psoriasis.

Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms vary depending on the subtype but may include:

Joint Pain: Often worse in the morning or after rest.
Swelling and Stiffness: Especially noticeable after periods of inactivity.
Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty with daily activities like walking or using hands.
Systemic Symptoms: Fever, rash, fatigue, and loss of appetite in systemic JIA.
Eye Inflammation: Uveitis, which can cause eye pain, redness, and sensitivity to light.

Diagnosis:
Diagnosing JIA involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, imaging tests (X-rays, MRI), and laboratory tests (blood tests, joint fluid analysis). It’s essential to differentiate JIA from other childhood conditions causing joint pain.