Genetic Factors Observed in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis causes persistent pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of motion in the joints. Research has indicated JIA as an autoimmune disorder and that heredity and environment seem to play a role. Scientists suspect that it is a two-step process. First, something in a child’s genetic makeup gives him or her a tendency to develop JIA; then an environmental factor, such as a virus, triggers the development of the disease.