Resource JIA Diagnosis JIA can be difficult to diagnose. Think of it as pieces of a puzzle, that healthcare professionals will help parents and children to put together. There are a number of different investigations used in diagnoses, including blood tests and scans, along with a discussion about symptoms. Print Article Clinical Assessment Making a diagnosis depends on asking you detailed questions about your child, performing tests such as blood tests and scans and carrying out a thorough physical examination. Article Blood Testing Blood tests alone will not diagnose JIA, but they are an important part of diagnosis. A number of blood tests can show either signs of JIA or clues to other potential causes for your child’s symptoms. Article Slit lamp examination of the eyes Slit lamps are used to help an ophthalmologist to examine the eye. Any child with suspected JIA will have their eyes examined to screen for a condition called ‘uveitis’ which can occur in JIA, often without symptoms. Article Imaging scans There are a number of different types of scan that can be used to look at the joints and (in some cases) soft tissue areas in the body. Article Examination of the joint fluid If there is a possibility that your child has an acute bacterial infection in a joint they will need to be admitted to hospital and have a sample of fluid taken from the joint. This usually happens under a general anaesthetic and the joint is ‘washed out’ at the same time. Further reading Web Link Detailed descriptions of investigations → A description of all these investigations can be found in greater detail on NHS Choices. Web Link MRI Scan → Example MRI scan details can be found here. Web Link Blood results → Further information about the different types of blood results and what they mean.
Article Clinical Assessment Making a diagnosis depends on asking you detailed questions about your child, performing tests such as blood tests and scans and carrying out a thorough physical examination.
Article Clinical Assessment Making a diagnosis depends on asking you detailed questions about your child, performing tests such as blood tests and scans and carrying out a thorough physical examination.
Article Blood Testing Blood tests alone will not diagnose JIA, but they are an important part of diagnosis. A number of blood tests can show either signs of JIA or clues to other potential causes for your child’s symptoms.
Article Blood Testing Blood tests alone will not diagnose JIA, but they are an important part of diagnosis. A number of blood tests can show either signs of JIA or clues to other potential causes for your child’s symptoms.
Article Slit lamp examination of the eyes Slit lamps are used to help an ophthalmologist to examine the eye. Any child with suspected JIA will have their eyes examined to screen for a condition called ‘uveitis’ which can occur in JIA, often without symptoms.
Article Slit lamp examination of the eyes Slit lamps are used to help an ophthalmologist to examine the eye. Any child with suspected JIA will have their eyes examined to screen for a condition called ‘uveitis’ which can occur in JIA, often without symptoms.
Article Imaging scans There are a number of different types of scan that can be used to look at the joints and (in some cases) soft tissue areas in the body.
Article Imaging scans There are a number of different types of scan that can be used to look at the joints and (in some cases) soft tissue areas in the body.
Article Examination of the joint fluid If there is a possibility that your child has an acute bacterial infection in a joint they will need to be admitted to hospital and have a sample of fluid taken from the joint. This usually happens under a general anaesthetic and the joint is ‘washed out’ at the same time.
Article Examination of the joint fluid If there is a possibility that your child has an acute bacterial infection in a joint they will need to be admitted to hospital and have a sample of fluid taken from the joint. This usually happens under a general anaesthetic and the joint is ‘washed out’ at the same time.
Further reading Web Link Detailed descriptions of investigations → A description of all these investigations can be found in greater detail on NHS Choices. Web Link MRI Scan → Example MRI scan details can be found here. Web Link Blood results → Further information about the different types of blood results and what they mean.