ABU DHABI // Children as young as six months can suffer from arthritis, and the idea that it afflicts only the elderly means many cases are not diagnosed, doctors say.
But if the auto-immune disorder, with its associated back and joint pain, is left undetected it can cause deformities within months.
"I've seen babies as young as 1 diagnosed with arthritis," said Dr Humeira Badsha, vice chairwoman of the Emirates Arthritis Foundation.
"If kids do not start walking or are unable to walk, one should ensure that the cause is not arthritis.
"Many people associate the disease with the elderly. They are not aware that children can suffer from this disease and if it is undiagnosed or detected at a later stage, a deformity could have set in."
There are no definite statistics for children in the UAE but Arabian Gulf countries generally have the same prevalence as western nations, where an average of one in 1,000 are affected.
Sunday is World Arthritis Day. To mark the day, the Middle East Arthritis Foundation yesterday began a two-day event at the Radisson Royal Hotel, on Sheikh Zayed Road, in Dubai, where parents of juvenile arthritis sufferers can discuss their experiences.
One mother said she was shocked when her daughter, 12, had a rare type of arthritis diagnosed last year.
"I noticed that my daughter was unable to open caps of bottles," the British mother said. "I asked her to show me why she couldn't and saw she was unable to make a fist.
"When I took her to an orthopaedic doctor in Dubai, they told me that she probably needed to exercise and suggested ballet lessons."
The child was later referred to Dr Badsha, who diagnosed the symptoms as consistent with arthritis.
"We get many patients whom we could have helped so much more if they had come to us earlier."
"It is the lack of awareness about the problem that is the cause," Dr Badsha said. "It takes between two to six months for a deformity to set in. The inflammation can affect growth plates."
Juvenile arthritis occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. It is unknown why this happens but heredity and environment seem to play roles.
Dr Badsha, an Indian consultant rheumatologist who has been working in UAE for nearly 10 years, said arthritis could affect babies as young as six months.
"If a child is persistently complaining of backache or their pain is not improving, parents should make sure that they are checked for arthritis," she said.
"Many times children don't complain but parents might notice them limping or suffering from stiffness in the morning or see that their elbows are swollen or that they can't straighten their elbows. These are all symptoms of arthritis.
"Parents need to take their child to a rheumatologist, who will examine the child and suggest some blood tests if they suspect arthritis."
Making sure young arthritis sufferers get plenty of exercise and a healthy diet is also essential.
"In this part of the world many children also suffer from vitamin D deficiency and calcium deficiency," Dr Badsha said. "Many of them don't drink milk. Also, some children have arthritis and are obese, which is an added problem."
Maya Kobeissi, a Canadian-Lebanese dietician who specialises in paediatric nutrition, said: "Children who have arthritis need to avoid junk food and unhealthy fats as these increase inflammation.
"There is a correlation between diet and the general inflammation in the body. Children should eat healthy fats such as Omega 3-rich fish, shrimp, flax seeds or walnuts.
"Although children who are suffering from arthritis may not be able to exercise while the disease is active and they are in pain, it is important that they keep fit and eat healthily when the disease is not in an active stage."
The British mother urged other parents to take their children for a check-up if they suspect juvenile arthritis.
"My daughter used to complain of backaches when she was a little girl and my response would be to change her back pack," she said. "However, parents need to know that if such pain persists they should get their children tested for arthritis.
"Also, if detected early, children can do all the things that kids enjoy, such as running, playing, swimming. We were lucky that my daughter's problem was caught in time and she can lead a normal life."
One in five people in the UAE are troubled by arthritis, the Middle East Arthritis Foundation says.
arizvi2@thenational.ae