Arthritis in children: A surprising condition
The condition is relatively high among South African children
WHILE the majority of children are making the most of the outdoors, running around and playing ball games until sunset, between one and four in every 1 000 are unable to join in the fun, owing to a debilitating illness one tends to associate only with the elderly – arthritis.
This disease is surprisingly common among children in South Africa.
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Owing to the misconception that arthritis affects only older people, there are thousands of children suffering from the illness, who are not correctly diagnosed and therefore do not receive appropriate treatment.
Misdiagnosis of arthritis in children is truly a tragedy, as it results in unnecessary suffering and often in disability, such as finger and wrist deformities, and can even be fatal.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an auto-immune disease that can take several different forms, some of which are less severe and affect fewer than four joints.
Others can be more severe, such as systemic juvenile arthritis, which presents with swollen joints, bad skin rash, fever that comes and goes, and can affect certain internal organs.
Between 19 000 and 75 000 children are estimated to be living with arthritis in South Africa.
If a diagnosis can be made early, the chances of successful treatment are good and, while no cure exists for the disease, it can be managed so the patient’s physical development and growth can continue as it should, and they can enjoy a normal childhood.
It is important to remember that children do not communicate in the same way as do adults, and they will often deny they are in pain, but may be irritable, have trouble sleeping or play less.
There are currently nine paediatric rheumatologists in South Africa – three in Gauteng, one in KZN and five in Cape Town – resulting in a severe shortage of paediatric rheumatology specialists and services for children.
It would also appear that many sufferers are not diagnosed, owing to a lack of awareness about the disease affecting children.
Treatment varies depending on the type of arthritis, as well as the period of time the child has been suffering.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication is used to provide some relief for the pain and discomfort, while disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs ( DMARDs) are used to treat the arthritis itself.
Treatment would usually begin with conventional DMARDs, which are highly effective in many cases.
Should this not be effective, biologic DMARDs would be required, which are very costly.
In the case of systemic arthritis, biologic DMARDs are the first line of defence owing to the severity and duration of the disease.
Good nutrition is vital while taking medication and furthermore supports the body in fighting negative growth.
Children suffering from arthritis are not alone and can reach out to Arthritis Kids South Africa, a support group for sufferers of the disease and their families.
Visit arthritiskids.co.za or email admin@arthritiskids.co.za for more information.
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