Delay in diagnosing juvenile arthritis

Abstract

Juvenile arthritis may present as swollen fingers or toes or joint swelling after minor trauma. The diagnosis can easily be overlooked, as small children do not complain about pain. Untreated arthritis can cause deformities or, with eye involvement, damaged vision. Three case histories are presented, as well as an audit of diagnostic delay in children with juvenile arthritis presenting to a paediatric rheumatology service over 12 months.