Pediatr. praxi. 2025;26(3):150-154 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2025.028

Swelling of the joint in children

MUDr. Hana Vaňková, MUDr. Jiří Bufka, MUDr. Dita Cebecauerová, Ph.D., MUDr. Hana Malcová, Ph.D.

Oddělení revmatologie dětí a dospělých, Fakultní nemocnice v Motole, Praha

Joint pain and swelling is a relatively common symptom that brings children to seek medical attention. By taking a full medical history and performing a detailed clinical examination, it is often possible to differentiate quickly and effectively among a wide range of potential causes. In cases where the diagnosis is not immediately clear, it is important to proceed systematically, starting with basic laboratory and imaging tests and progressing to more specific genetic or metabolic investigations if necessary. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is essential to first determine whether the symptoms are limited to a single joint or involve multiple joints. It is also important to assess whether joint swelling or pain is an isolated symptom or part of a broader spectrum of issues, including systemic conditions. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential causes of joint swelling in children in clinical practice. It also focuses on an effective diagnostic approach that not only facilitates the rapid and accurate identification of common causes but also the timely recognition of rarer conditions that might otherwise be overlooked.

Keywords: joint swelling, joint pain, arthritis, reactive arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, childhood vasculitis, differential diagnosis.

Accepted: June 16, 2025; Published: July 4, 2025  Show citation