Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in children, occurring in a chronic form. It is an autoimmune disease with a severe course and possible damage to internal organs. In children, an inflammatory process may develop in one or more joints, accompanied by damage to internal organs and severe intoxication.
Causes
Currently, no reliable causes have been identified that trigger the immune system's reaction, ultimately leading to rheumatoid arthritis.
Possible causes of the disease include:
- infections, injuries, hypothermia
- formation of free radicals, destruction of cell membranes
- hereditary predisposition.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Since children may not always be able to describe their feelings, signs of developing rheumatoid arthritis may manifest as behavioral changes. A child may refuse to walk or wear shoes, or may limp. Such behavior may be a sign of rheumatoid involvement of the fingers. If larger joints are affected, the child may experience stiffness in the mornings. Children may refuse to eat, play, or dress independently – this situation may indicate arthritis of the fingers.
Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Israel
When rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, doctors in Israel do not limit themselves to examining for inflammatory processes. In this case, it is important to consider the immunological indicator. For this purpose, a blood test for rheumatoid factors is performed, which is significant for determining the treatment strategy and prognosis of the disease.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Israel
In Israel, depending on the form of the disease, one of the treatment strategies is chosen. In cases of oligoarticular juvenile chronic arthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. This type of arthritis has a good prognosis. In polyarticular juvenile chronic arthritis, a comprehensive drug therapy is used, aimed not only at suppressing the inflammatory process but also at reducing antibody production and the formation of immune complexes.
Prevention
In this case, timely diagnosis and adequate treatment are important to prevent damage to internal organs and further disease progression.