Akylosing spondylitis, or AS, is an inflammatory disease that causes inflammation in certain joints of the body and causes pain. AS is typically diagnosed in people between ages 17 and 35, but many children are also diagnosed with juvenile aklylosing spondylitits, or JAS. There is no cure for JAS, but treatment can reduce complications and improve quality of life.
Prevelance
The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin says juvenile ankylosing spondylitis affects adolescent males two to three times more than females and estimates that 1 in 100 adolescent males are diagnosed with the disorder. JAS is more prevalent in Caucasians than in African-American adolescents.
Symptoms
JAS symptoms may worsen, improve or stay the same over time. AS in children usually begins in the joints of the hip, knees, heels or big toes. Early morning stiffness and joint pain appear gradually. JAS may progress to involve the spine. According to MayoClinic.com, inflammation may also occur in tendons and ligaments that attach to the bone. Late symptoms include appetite loss, weight loss, fever, fatigue and anemia. A child's eyes may also become inflamed frequently. Inflammation of the eye causes pain, redness and light sensitivity. Joints between the rib and spine may also become inflamed, which causes the inability to take a deep breath. Back pain may cause the child to hunch over to relive pain.
Diagnosis
After a doctor takes a complete medical history and does a physical exam, diagnostic procedures are ordered. X-rays to view tissues, organs and bones help diagnose JAS. A blood test to calculate erythrocyte sedimentation rate can help the doctor access the degree of inflammation. Another blood test detects whether the antigen HLA-B27 is present in the body. HLA-B27 can indicate the presence of JAS.
Treatment
Treatment aims to reduce pain and stiffness. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs, including naproxin and indomethacin are the most common drugs used to treat JAS. Gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney and liver problems are severe side effects of NSAIDs. Corticosteroid medications, such as predinosone, are used in severe cases of AS to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are used for short periods because of severe side effects. Exercises, especially those that strengthen the back muscles, should be done regularly. Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility and reduce pain is often part of the treatment plan, MayoClinic.com says.
Prognosis
Even though JAS is a chronic condition, it's not considered a fatal disease and most children live normal lives. UW Medicine says that only a few people diagnosed with AS become severely disabled. Proper treatment reduces the impact of daily problems that result from AS and prevents or delays complications such as difficulty walking, difficulty breathing, eye inflammation and inflammation of the heart.
