Arthritis in children and adolescents.

摘要

Arthritis is simply defined as inflammation of a joint. Arthritis may affect one or more joints and often is accompanied by swelling, redness, tenderness, warmth, and pain with movement. The pathophysiology of this inflammatory process varies depending on the underlying cause of arthritis. Monoarthritis is inflammation limited to one joint. In the context of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), oligoarthritis is defined as arthritis involving fewer than five joints, whereas polyarthritis is arthritis of five or more joints. Although there is a broad differential diagnosis, a thorough history and physical examination should provide sufficient information to direct the evaluation and management of the patient with arthritis. An overview of pediatric arthritis as well as a discussion of the most common causes, evaluation, and treatment is offered in this article.