The facts about SJIA
Diagnosing arthritis in children dates back to the mid-1800s. Today, rheumatologists and other kinds of doctors treat several types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, each with its own symptoms. Two forms of the disease include polyarticular JIA arthritis, or PJIA, and systemic JIA, or SJIA.
SJIA is a rare form of arthritis that affects children. Systemic means that SJIA is a disease that affects the whole body. This can sometimes cause fever, rash, swelling, and pain in the joints. In some children living with SJIA, fever and rash symptoms may appear first, while the joint pain of arthritis happens later.
No one knows the exact cause of SJIA, if it's passed on from family members, or if it starts on its own.
SJIA: A disease of the immune system
The immune system is complex. It has many different kinds of cells that protect the body by fighting harmful things like bacteria and viruses. When the immune system is not working correctly, it can lead to the signs and symptoms of SJIA.
Signs and symptoms to watch for in your child
- Pain or limited motion in 1 or more joints
- Muscle pain
- 2 weeks of spiking or daily fever
- A rash that appears salmon-pink in color
Different from other forms of JIA
Systemic JIA is the most rare of the various types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or JIA. It's different because the signs and symptoms of SJIA, like fever and rash, commonly affect the whole body and not just the joints.
Ask your child's doctor how SJIA is different from other forms of JIA.
See the results
See how other children with SJIA responded to ACTEMRA in a clinical trial.
Resources for parents and caregivers
Take advantage of our Resource Center. Get helpful tips and tools to help manage life with SJIA.