Overview Of Connective Tissue Diseases And Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis In Children

Paediatric connective tissue diseases (PCTD) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have been investigated and reported extensively among Western children compared with low frequency of reports among African children. This may be due to reduced awareness among African general practitioners ; paucity of Paediatric rheumatologists in most Africa countries; little or no laboratory back up; and the belief that CTD and arthritis are not diseases of children. This article aims at discussing the general approach to CTDs and chronic arthritis in children; as well as increase awareness among doctors in Africa