In the autoimmune diseases like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system loses its capacity to identify the difference between the harmful invaders such as viruses or bacteria and body’s own healthy cells. As a result, the chemicals released by the immune system may damage the healthy joint tissues in the body and may cause pain and inflammation of the joints. Besides this, some bacterial or viral infections are suspected as the triggering factors for this autoimmune process and may be considered as one of the causes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Some genetic as well as environmental factors are supposed to be among the prominent causes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Children with specific genetic markers are more susceptible for this disorder. These genetic factors are supposed to make the immune system react inadequately resulting in inflammation.
There are three major categories of JRA such as systemic JRA, polyarticular JRA and pauciarticular JRA. The systemic JRA can cause pain and swelling of joints as well as rash and fever and the exact cause of this type of JRA is not clear. Another type of JRA, polyarticular JRA may involve the multiple joints and the children with positive rheumatoid factor are at a higher risk of this disease. In case of pauciarticular JRA, the children especially boys, with positive HLA-B27 are likely to susceptible for this disorder.
The symptoms of JRA may vary in each child and they may be mild or extremely severe. Pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints are the most prominent symptoms of JRA which may reduce the range of motion and decrease the joint function. Because of asymmetrical and abnormal growth of the joints, there may be development of some deformities in the joints. In addition to these symptoms, an inflammation of eyes is also commonly seen which may cause pain, irritation and redness of eyes. Besides this, some other symptoms of JAR are recurrent fever, rash, muscle pain, swelling of lymph nodes and weight loss.
