JUVENILE DERMATOMYOSITIS

• Affects 3 in 1 million children each year.
• Inflammatory disease of the muscle, skin and blood vessels.
• Affects all age and ethnic groups. Most cases occur in children ages 5-10
• Adults 40-50

WHAT CAUSES IT?

• The cause is unknown
• Theory is Abnormalities in immune system.

COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• A violet-colored or dusky red rash.
• Progressive muscle weakness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue,fever and weight loss etc...

TEST THAT CAN BE DONE

• Magnetic resonance Imaging(MRI)
• Electromyography
• Muscle biopsy
• Blood test

TREATMENT

• Corticosteroids(prednisone)
• Methotrexate
• Intravenous Immuglobin

Early diagnosis and sticking to the treatment plan are important.

REFERENCES

• Myositis and You. Ed. Lisa Rider, MD,Lauren Pachman,MD,Frederick Miller,MD,Harriet Bollar, The Myositis association 2007