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Guide to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

By , About.com Guide

Updated February 26, 2007

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Part 4 of 10 - What is Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Besides joint swelling, the systemic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by fever and a light skin rash, and may also affect internal organs such as the:

  • heart
  • liver
  • spleen
  • lymph nodes
  • Doctors sometimes call the systemic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis "Still's disease".

    Antibodies

    Almost all children with this type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis test negative for both rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibody (ANA).

  • What is ANA (Antinuclear Antibody)?
  • What is Rheumatoid Factor?
  • Prognosis

    The systemic form affects 20 percent of all children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A small percentage of these children develop arthritis in many joints and can have severe arthritis that continues into adulthood.

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    6. Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - What is Systemic JRA?

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