Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the joints in children less than 16 years of age.  The cause of JRA is unknown, however it seems to be related to certain genes that disrupt the immune system, leading to inflammation (especially arthritis).  Arthritis is defined as swelling or limitation of motion of the joint accompanied by heat, pain, and/or tenderness.  JRA is classified into 7 basic types depending on the number and location of joints involed and the involvement of other body parts.  The treatment of JRA in children involves limiting pain and the development of long-term damage.  The first treatment for most children with JRA includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID's) such as ibuprofen.  Some children require treatment with corticosteroids or other medications that regulate or suppress the immune system.  Most children with JRA have symptems that are well-controlled with medications and have limited disability.

Vaccines are extremely safe and necessary.  Ironically, the need for vaccination has become less obvious due to its own success.  The last known natural case of small pox occurred in 1977.  Small pox disease was erased from the planet by the small pox vaccine.  Hemophilus influenza was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis before the Hib vaccine was introduced in 1990.  An infection that affected 15,000 people and killed 500 per year is now only seen about 50 times per year in all of the United States! Now to bust some myths!

So when will your baby get some teeth?  The eruption of teeth occur at different ages for different children.  Some newborns are born with one or more teeth, however these "neonatal teeth" typically fall out in a few days.  Your doctor may wish to remove the neonatal teeth so they don't fall out and enter your child's airway.  "Baby teeth" (called the primary dentition) begin to erupt at about 6 months of age.  The bottom front teeth (central incisors of the mandible) are typically the first to erupt.  The front four upper teeth are typically the next to erupt (central and lateral incisors of the maxilla).  The mandible is the chin bone and the maxilla is the skull bone that holds the upper teeth.  The rest of your child's teeth will erupt over the next two years.  The first permanent teeth (the molars closest to the front) begin to erupt at about 6 years of age.  Your child will have both permanent and baby teeth at the same time.  Your child will start to lose baby teeth at about 6 or 7 years of age.  The first teeth to fall out are the incisors (typically a bottom tooth is the first to go!).  Your child will likely have all the permanent teeth (and no baby teeth!) except for the wisdom teeth by about 12 years of age.