Juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

ABSTRACT

This study attempts to determine the clinical manifestations, severity and immunological features of JIA and its influence on growth and associated cardiac involvement in children below 16 years of age. This is a cross sectional study in a tertiary referral center on 50 consecutive children below the age of 16 years. Each patient was thoroughly examined and scored on Juvenile Arthritis Functional Assessment Scale. Relevant blood tests, cardiac and ophthalmic evaluation was done. Growth patterns were noted. There was an overall equal sex ratio, though there was a male preponderance in the systemic and oligoarthritis groups. Disturbance of growth frequently occurred in children suffering from JIA. Cardiac involvement should be looked for in cases of JIA. Significant number of cases of PSRA is diagnosed in children presenting with chronic arthritis.