I can't believe arthritis even occurs in babies. But in the interval from one year to four years, such a diagnosis is made to every thousandth baby.
Arthritis in a child: symptoms
It is quite difficult to determine it at such an early age, since the baby does not complain directly about the pain. At the same time, he is constantly dissatisfied, lethargic, whiny, eats poorly. Swelling around the affected joint is not always noticeable. The first signs that signal the possible occurrence of arthritis are the unwillingness to walk independently, actively move, run, and lameness. Arthritis in a child can capture different joints and proceed in different ways. Accordingly, treatment in each case should be carried out strictly individually.
Disease forms
1. Oligoarticular juvenile chronic arthritis. This type of disease affects no more than four joints. Most often, such arthritis is observed in a child under the age of five years (mostly girls suffer). This variety very often gives complications to the eyes.
Usually the treatment in thiscase is carried out by injection into the affected joints. It lasts a long time (about three to four years), but 70% of children recover completely. And in 30% of babies, the disease develops further.
2. Arthritis of the joints of the fingers. This form of the disease is one of the most painful and unpleasant. The pain in the joints almost does not stop, it is twisting, breaking in nature. Especially it intensifies (to attacks) before the change of seasons and weather. The pain is so severe that it does not allow you to sleep at night, and as a result of constant fatigue, the body weakens, becomes too susceptible, unstable to various stresses. With arthritis of this form, the joints turn red, the area around them swells, becomes hot. In advanced cases, the disease leads to curvature of the fingers.
Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of hand arthritis is extremely important. It should be comprehensive and include both a course of antibiotics, the use of painkillers, as well as physiotherapy, vitamin support for the body.
4. Psoriatic arthritis. This disease is chronic and incurable. It occurs in those who are hereditarily predisposed to psoriasis. People of different ages tolerate it differently. Psoriatic arthritis in a child is rare: it occupies no more than 10% of the number of other types of this disease. 10-12 year old teenagers suffer from it more often. This is due to the colossal hormonal restructuring of the child's body. Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis can be difficult, because immediately after it onskin develops a rash. It is often mistaken for eczema or diathesis. Also, the onset of this disease is confused with gout. The consequence of an incorrectly established diagnosis is erroneous therapy. Treatment of psoriatic arthritis in children is carried out with the same drugs that are used for adult patients, only, of course, with a reduced dosage. These are anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroids, and in severe cases, immunosuppressants. The patient is also shown treatment in a sanatorium and observation in a dispensary.
