Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Symptoms

Symptoms of JIA include joint pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth and stiffness that last for more than 6 continuous weeks. Stiffness is typically worse in the morning or after a nap. JIA commonly affects the knees and the joints in the hands and feet.

A small group of children have a systemic form of the disease, characterised by fever and rash in addition to arthritis. The rash and fever may appear and disappear very quickly, and may appear before the joint symptoms.

Typically, there are periods when the symptoms of JIA are better or disappear (remissions) and times when symptoms get worse (flares).

Sometimes JIA can involve the eye and cause inflammation. Children with JIA should undergo regular eye checks by an ophthalmologist.