Many people do not realize that there are an estimated 300,000 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or other pediatric rheumatic diseases in the United States.

According to research from the Arthritis Foundation, these autoimmune diseases affect not only joints but also skin, eyes and internal organs.

There is no blood test that confirms the diagnosis. Blood tests such as an ANA, also known as a FANA (fluorescent antinuclear antibody) test, are not helpful.

The Arthritis Foundation identifies many different types of juvenile arthritis, including:

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common form of juvenile arthritis.
• There are six types, including oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, systemic, enthesitis-related, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated.

Juvenile myositis

• An inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness.
• There are two types: juvenile polymyositis and juvenile dermatomyositis, which also causes rash on the eyelids and knuckles.

Juvenile lupus

• An autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, internal organs (i.e. heart, kidneys, lungs) and other areas of the body.
• The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE.

Juvenile scleroderma

• Scleroderma, which literally means “hard skin,” describes a group of conditions that causes the skin to tighten and harden.

Vasculitis

• This type of disease causes inflammation of the blood vessels, which can lead to heart complications.
• Kawasaki disease and Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HCP) are the most common kinds in kids and teens.

Fibromyalgia

• Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that can cause widespread muscle pain and stiffness, along with fatigue, disrupted sleep and other symptoms. It is more common in girls but rarely diagnosed before puberty.

A child with joint pain for more than six weeks should be evaluated for an underlying medical issue, like JIA. Symptoms that warrant further evaluation include joint swelling, limp, or back pain. Lyme disease can also present with a large swollen knee.

JIA is an autoimmune disease that is treated with medications that lower the immune system. Physical therapy can help with joint mobility. Since this disease can affect the eyes, following up with an ophthalmologist is recommended.

Children can have chronic joint pain for other reasons, including sports injuries, hypermobility, or even stress.

Growing pains typically affect children ages 2 to 5 years.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more children have developed anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and a decrease in physical activity, which can all lead to having joint pain.

Long-term problems are avoided with early diagnosis and treatment.

The WVU Medicine Children’s Pediatric Rheumatology practice offers visits on Fridays and Saturdays at the University Towne Centre location. Patients can also be seen via My-WVUChart video visits.