Pediatric Conditions, Rheumatism
It is common to use the word 'rheumatism' or 'arthritis' to describe a large range of rheumatic diseases. There are greater than 100 rheumatic diseases, which can affect children. These diseases may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints as well as in muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and skin. Juvenile rheumatic diseases include Juvenile Rheumatoid or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy Syndromes, Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis, Juvenile Dermatomyositis,Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Juvenile Vasculitis, Juvenile Sclerodermas, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, and Periodic Fever Syndromes.
In children, arthritis, periodic fever syndromes, or other rheumatic diseases can be very hard to diagnose and difficult to treat. Children with these diseases may experience swollen, painful, or stiff joints, skin rashes, weak muscles, fevers, and swollen glands. These children may also have many disease-related challenges such as pain, disability, growth problems, and trouble with school and social interactions. The affects of Juvenile rheumatic diseases on each child is different. For many juvenile rheumatic diseases, there is no single diagnostic test; for some of the fever diseases, a genetic test can be used to diagnose the syndrome. More knowledge is needed for doctors and scientists to know how to treat and prevent juvenile rheumatic diseases; however, if you suspect your child may have one of these diseases, there is help available.