Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment
Juvenile dermatomyositis is estimated to affect between 3,000 and 5,000 children. The series of symptoms they present do not make their childhood easy. The most effective way to deal with this condition is to know everything related to the disease, in addition to following all medical indications.
What is juvenile dermatomyositis?
It is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by causing muscle damage, caused because the blood vessels that are located under the skin and the muscles are inflamed. Frequently, changes in the skin are observed over the knuckles, edge of the eyelids and finger joints.
Autoimmune diseases are those in which the body damages healthy tissue or cells by mistaking them for invading agents. The ages at which this condition normally occurs are from 2 years to 15 years.
Symptoms of juvenile dermatomyositis
In most cases, symptoms usually appear gradually, while in other patients it manifests in an acute to severe form. Each patient experiences each symptom differently. Due to some of these signs, the child will not be able to perform certain activities.
The most common, although not the only ones, are:
- Rash on the skin, face, knuckles, knees, and elbows.
- Swelling of the eyelids and joints.
- Muscular weakness.
- Change in color of the eye contour (red or purple).
- Malaise caused by fever and fatigue.
- Difficulty swallowing together with a weak voice.
- Acute abdominal pain caused by digestive ulcers.
Phases of the disease
This condition develops in the following 4 stages:
- Prodromal period. In this phase the symptoms are irregular and tend to be confused with other disorders. It can last from weeks to months.
- Progressive muscle weakness and rash. This muscle weakening process takes weeks to stabilize, and recovery can take up to 2 years.
- Muscle swelling and rash. This phase lasts 2 years.
- Recovery. It can occur without leaving major consequences, while in other cases it leaves muscle atrophy and contractures.
Causes and diagnosis
To date, the causes of this disease have not been determined. What many specialists do say is that it is a malfunction of the immune system, and it is believed that these types of diseases are hereditary.
To determine if you have this disease, the following studies should be performed:
- Physical exam.
- Laboratory tests : These tests will determine the presence of muscle antibodies and enzymes.
- Electromyography: It is necessary to detect muscle or nerve injuries.
- Biopsy: Required to thoroughly examine a piece of tissue.
- X-rays: These can be used to obtain images of the affected internal bones and tissues.
- Magnetic resonance imaging: It is used as a last resort to see how much an organ has been affected.
Treatment for juvenile dermatomyositis
The type of treatment will depend on how much the disease has affected the patient. What is expected of the treatment is to reduce inflammation to avoid tissue damage, as well as to regain strength in the muscles, reduce pain and, in general terms, improve the quality of life of the child.
This is achieved with supportive treatments and a constant multidisciplinary approach, among them are:
Medicines
The most common medications for inflation are glucocorticosteroids and methotrexate. For the skin, antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and the use of sunscreen.
Therapies
Physical therapy will help the patient maintain and improve muscle flexibility and strength. When the swallowing muscles are affected, speech therapy will be essential to help manage the changes.
Feeding
The guidance of a nutritionist who indicates what foods the child can consume so that chewing and swallowing can become much easier for him will be essential.
Once the treatment is correctly applied, the child can respond favorably to it in no more than two months.
Finally, you must be very patient, since surely on many occasions the child will manifest attacks of anxiety or frustration due to the large number of symptoms that generate discomfort.
Although juvenile dermatomyositis has no cure, there are many patients who do not have any complications for long periods.
