Juvenile arthritis is a type of rheumatoid arthritis characterized by chronic inflammation within the joints of affected children under the age of 16. This condition is the most common form of arthritis in children and affects at least 50,000 patients in the United States, reports Kids Health, a children's health information website supported by the Nemours Foundation. Though the cause of this condition remains unknown, juvenile arthritis symptoms can be managed using exercise, physical therapy and medication.
Pain
Children with juvenile arthritis typically experience sensations of pain within affected joints as a symptom of this condition, explains The Mayo Clinic. These painful sensations can persist throughout the day and may become most severe upon waking in the morning. A child with this condition may begin to limp while walking due to painful symptoms in the knees, ankles or feet. Juvenile arthritis symptoms may completely subside for a period of time only to re-emerge a few days or months later.
Swelling
Joint inflammation resulting from juvenile arthritis can cause affected joints to become enlarged or swollen. Children with this condition may notice that the affected joints feel warm or tender to the touch. These symptoms of swelling typically arise within the knees but can also affect joints within the hands or feet. Severe swelling can also limit a child's ability to move the affected joint.
Stiffness
Chronic joint inflammation can cause the membrane that lines that joint--called the synovial membrane--to become thick and stiff, explain medical professionals at Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. When this happens, a child may become unable to move the affected joint normally due to sensations of stiffness or tightness. These juvenile arthritis symptoms can significantly limit a child's ability to move about normally and can make it difficult to participate in physical activities, such as dance or athletics.
Flu-like Symptoms or Rash
Children with juvenile arthritis can develop flu-like symptoms in addition to joint symptoms. These flu-like symptoms can include fever, fatigue, decreased appetite or weight loss. Fever symptoms can occur intermittently and may become worse at night. Certain children may also develop red, irritated patches of skin across the body as a symptom of juvenile arthritis, explains Kids Health. These rashes can appear sporadically and may feel warm to the touch.
