A common extra-articular manifestation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

• A. Uveitis
• B. Scleritis
• C. Dermatitis
• D. Pericarditis

Answer: (A)

A common extra-articular involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis is inflammation of the eye, specifically chronic anterior uveitis. This eye condition is frequently seen in kids with JIA, especially in the oligoarticular subtype and in those who are ANA-positive. It can be silent early, so regular eye exams are crucial to catch it before it harms vision. If symptoms do appear, they may include photophobia, eye pain, or redness, but the key point is that uveitis is a well-known, common non-joint manifestation.

The other options—scleritis, dermatitis, and pericarditis—can occur with autoimmune disease but are not as common or characteristic in JIA. Scleritis is more typical of other rheumatic conditions, dermatitis isn’t a typical JIA feature, and pericarditis is less common unless the disease is systemic.