الفهرس 
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Abstract
Definition JCA is a chronic inflammatory disorder of child-hood characterized by chronic arthritis and in some patients by extra articular features. The disease starts before the age of 16 years and lasts at least three months.
Epidemiological figures of JCA are conflicting not only because pf the selectivvity of the material studied but also because of lack of or differences in diagnostic criteria. The main differences are found in the duration of the observation period before diagnosis and in the list of exclusion criteria.
HLA associations with the various subtypes of JRA has provided further support for the concept of genetic predisposition to the disease.
The etiology of JCA is still unknown and pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear.
The age of onset is characteristically young, 1 to 3 years, with a subtantial number of cases beginning throughout childhood. Girls account for the majority of cases in the early peak of the distribution curve and affected overall at least twice as often as boys, except for systemic onset which the sex ratio is equal.
Constitutional signs and symptoms:
Morning stiffness, gelling following activity and night pain are probably encountered.
The disease is categorized into three subtypes systemic onset disease characterized by rash and fever; pauciarticular disease, where four or fewer joints are affected in the absence of systemic features and polyarticular disease.