How Do You Diagnose Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?
If you suspect your child has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, you must see the family doctor or pediatrician. There is no definitive test for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, the doctor must gather various data to arrive at a diagnosis. Note key symptoms. The doctor will assess walking with a limp, morning stiffness, favored use of one arm or leg and general inactivity. The child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis often experiences short bouts of fever in the evening. Joints appear swollen. Take a medical history. The doctor will ask about the duration of the symptoms. The pain and swelling must last six weeks to support a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The doctor will ask about any family history of other autoimmune diseases. Conduct a physical exam. The doctor will examine the joints for swelling and tenderness. Tests will look for decreased strength in the muscles around these joints. Lymph nodes in the neck will be checked for enlargement. The doctor will look fo
