The Diagnosis and Course of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Benign Aseptic Arthritis in Children1

Abstract

Summary Diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis adapted for the features of the disease in children have been suggested and used for a classification in a follow‐up examination. This study comprised 87 cases of aseptic arthritis of at least three weeks duration hospitalized in pediatric departments in Stockholm during 1952–1957. Those not fulfilling the criteria were labelled benign aseptic arthritis. They were compared with the rheumatoid arthritis cases as to the early clinical picture and the prognosis. The entirely different course in the two groups indicates that the suggested classification is of value in the prognostic prediction in cases of aseptic arthritis in children.