Joint pain in infants

Joint pain in infants: "Red flag"

Joint pain (arthralgia), and especially their swelling and inflammation (arthritis), in infants is always a concerning symptom that requires mandatory and thorough diagnosis. Unlike benign muscle pain, joint pain can be a sign of serious diseases that need immediate treatment.

How to recognize joint pain?

Pay attention to the following signs:

• Swelling and redness: The joint (knee, ankle) appears enlarged, the skin over it may be red and warm to the touch.
• "Protects" the limb: The child stops using the arm or leg, tries not to move it.
• Pain with passive movements: The child cries when you try to bend or straighten the leg or arm.

Possible causes of joint pain

• Septic arthritis: Dangerous bacterial infection of the joint that requires emergency hospitalization. Accompanied by high fever.
• Reactive arthritis: Inflammation of the joints that develops after a prior infection.
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): Chronic autoimmune disease.

Any joint pain accompanied by swelling is a reason for immediate medical consultation. Read about general mechanisms in the article "Joint pain".