Can children get rheumatoid arthritis?

Yes, children can develop rheumatoid arthritis, which is medically known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases in children, and its causes are related to genetics, immune system abnormalities, and environmental factors. Parents should detect symptoms early and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Timely treatment can effectively relieve symptoms and reduce the long-term impact on children's lives.

1What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which an abnormally active immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own joint tissues, leading to inflammation. Children with the disease may experience typical symptoms such as joint swelling, pain, and stiffness, with morning stiffness being the most obvious. The course of the disease can be divided into mild, moderate, and severe, and the degree of impact varies from individual to individual.

2What are the causes?

a. Genetic factors: If there is a history of similar rheumatic diseases in the family, children may have a higher risk of developing the disease.

b. Environmental factors: External infections, such as viral or bacterial infections, may trigger abnormal responses of the immune system.

c. Physiological factors: abnormalities in the body's immune system, such as T cell dysfunction.

d. Other health problems: such as serious infection, psychological stress, etc. may trigger the onset of the disease.

3How to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

The goals of treatment for JIA are to relieve inflammation, improve joint function, and prevent complications. The main treatments include:

a. Drug treatment: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen relieve pain and inflammation; immunosuppressants such as methotrexate suppress abnormal immune responses; biological agents such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are used when necessary.

b. Physical therapy: Maintaining joint range of motion and muscle strength through reasonable rehabilitation training, such as low-intensity swimming or joint stretching exercises, is beneficial to improving joint health.

c. Surgical treatment: If the joint damage is too severe, joint replacement or arthroscopic surgery may be required. The treatment effect varies from individual to individual.

d. Psychological support: Help children adjust their ability to adapt to the disease and reduce their psychological burden.

4Family care and precautions

In terms of diet, you should choose foods rich in calcium, such as dairy products and whitebait, to strengthen bones, and increase the intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C and high-quality protein to improve the body's repair ability. Avoid excessive exercise in daily life, and it is recommended to wear protective gear to protect joints. If symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention in time instead of taking medicine on your own.

Although juvenile idiopathic arthritis can affect children's lives, most patients can control their condition and have a normal quality of life through early diagnosis, reasonable treatment and good daily care. If a child has recurrent joint swelling and pain or limited mobility, he or she should be taken to a doctor as soon as possible to identify the cause and develop a personalized treatment plan.