Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Findings from a physical exam, including the pattern and nature of joint symptoms, are important keys to the diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Lab tests may be used to support the diagnosis and make sure symptoms aren't caused by another health problem. JIA is often diagnosed only after other possible causes of symptoms have been ruled out and the pain and stiffness have lasted for at least 6 weeks.

Routine exams and tests include the following:

• Reference Medical history and physical exam
• Reference Complete blood count (CBC)
• Reference Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or sed rate)
• Reference Urinalysis
• Reference Rapid strep test or Reference throat culture (to test for strep throat)

The following tests are done if needed:

• Reference Rheumatoid factor (RF), to clarify whether a child with Reference polyarticular JIA Opens New Window is RF-positive or RF-negative
• Reference Antinuclear antibody (ANA), to clarify a child's type of JIA and risk for eye disease
• Reference X-ray of joints
• An Reference MRI scan Opens New Window, which may reveal early joint damage
• Human lymphocyte antigen or HLA-B27 Reference genetic test Opens New Window

Your doctor will probably schedule routine checkups to see how your child is doing and how well treatment is working. This will include talking about Reference inflammatory eye disease and exams for this disease, such as a Reference slit lamp eye exam.

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