Juvenile arthritis diagnosis involves various tests to determine the presence and severity of the disease.

1. Clinical Evaluation

• History of symptoms (joint pain, swelling)
• Physical examination (range of motion, tenderness)
• Duration of symptoms (more than 6 weeks)

2. Blood Tests

Blood tests help identify inflammation and rule out other conditions. Common tests include:

3. Imaging Tests

Imaging tests help visualize joint changes caused by arthritis.

• X-rays: Assess joint damage and bone abnormalities.
• Ultrasound: Visualizes inflammation and fluid in the joints.
• MRI: Provides detailed images of soft tissues and bones.

4. Joint Aspiration and Analysis

Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) is performed to withdraw joint fluid for analysis, which may include:

• Analyzing the appearance of the fluid (cloudy vs. clear).
• Checking for signs of infection or crystals.

5. Functional Assessments

Assessing the functional abilities of the child can provide insights into the impact of arthritis on daily life.

• Criteria of functional capacity.
• Use of standardized questionnaires.

6. Family History and Genetic Testing

• Gathering family medical history regarding autoimmune diseases.
• Genetic tests may be conducted if necessary.

Summary

Diagnosing juvenile arthritis is a multifaceted process that includes clinical evaluations, blood tests, imaging, and possibly joint fluid analysis. The integration of these diagnostic tools helps healthcare providers formulate an effective treatment strategy for affected children.