JRA

Beckett's specialists and pediatrician spoke on Friday, and confirmed a diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (also known as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis). JRA/JIA is a long-term chronic disease resulting in joint pain and swelling. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. He will see a Pediatric Rheumatologist at Johns Hopkins in early January for a complete work-up, further testing, and discussion of medication.

For more information on this condition, please go to:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001487/

or

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juvenile_idiopathic_arthritis