Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

Acute hypoxic respiratory failure as the first manifestation of systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in a child.

Rochat I, Sayegh Y, Gervaix A, Rimensberger PC, Argiroffo CB

Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, 6 Rue Willy Donzé, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.

Systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common rheumatologic disorder of childhood. Pleuropulmonary manifestations are rare in children in this multiorgan disease, and are usually not severe. The diagnosis of systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is made by exclusion, in the presence of clinical findings constellation. We present the case of an 8-year-old girl who developed acute hypoxic respiratory failure as the first manifestation of systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, then severe respiratory relapse 16 months later. Clinical and radiological improvement were achieved at both times after high dose pulse methylprednisolone therapy.

Published 3 February 2005 in Pediatr Pulmonol, 38(6): 483-7.
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