Refers to several conditions characterized by chronic synovitis and joint swelling, pain, and tenderness

Pauciarticular JRA: asymmetrical involvement of less than five joints; usually affects large joints, such as the knees, ankles, and elbows, and causes eye complications, such as iridocyclitis

Polyarticular JRA: symmetrical involvement of five or more joints, especially the hands and weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, and feet; involves the temporomandibular joint, possibly causing earache; also involves the sternoclavicular joint, possibly causing chest pain

Systemic disease with polyarthritis: involves the lining of the heart and lungs, blood cells, and abdominal organs; exacerbations possibly lasting for months; fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy possibly occurring

Also called JRA

If JRA isn’t arrested, the inflammatory process occurs in four stages: