Arthritis in children: In order to provide the family with accurate genetic counseling and avoid unnecessary therapies, early detection of non-inflammatory bone diseases is vital.
Arthritis in children: The first image that comes to mind when someone mentions arthritis is that of an adult with painful joints. Arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation, discomfort, or a limitation in the range of motion of a joint. Children can get arthritis too, but it looks very different from what happens in adults. In India, one in 10,000 children may have inflammatory arthritis. Dr. Himanshi Chaudhary, Pediatric Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Specialist at Ruby Hall Clinic, shares different subtypes of childhood arthritis, each with its own specific characteristics and outcomes. In addition to inflammatory arthritis, the doctor explains that a subgroup of non-inflammatory bone diseases can also cause deformities, severe functional limitations, and social stigmatization.
4 TYPES OF NON-INFLAMMATORY BONE DISEASES
- Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia
- Camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis syndrome
- mucopolysaccharidoses
- Idiopathic multicentric osteolysis
CAUSES OF NON-INFLAMMATORY BONE DISEASES
Most of these diseases are caused by genetic abnormalities that affect certain elements of the growing bone or cartilage. The aberrant protein production caused by these genetic defects often interferes with the normal development, alignment, and stability of a joint. As a result, the joints look swollen, misaligned, and are unable to function as intended.
SYMPTOMS OF NON-INFLAMMATORY BONE DISEASE
Patients do not have morning stiffness, other systemic symptoms of inflammation such as fever, and inflammatory markers are normal, in contrast to inflammatory arthritis. Some of these diseases can cause pericarditis, enlarged liver and spleen, facial dysmorphism, mental retardation, and eye abnormalities, in addition to affecting other organ systems. These conditions are often misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis and treated with anti-inflammatory medications. Anti-inflammatory medicine has a relatively small effect in these patients.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF NON-INFLAMMATORY BONE DISEASES
Diagnosis requires a complete history and physical examination to identify the typical clinical features of these noninflammatory arthritis syndromes. Some of these disorders also have characteristic radiological findings. Genetic testing is needed to confirm these disorders. Treatment includes physical therapy, splinting, and surgical correction of deformities, enzyme replacement therapy in some disorders, and pain relievers.
