juvenile idiopathic arthritis, corticosteroids, growth disturbances, anthropometry

In 1999 our research was carried out in 81 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Nine somatic parameters value were compared with the results of corresponding age and sex groups stated in Anthropometric Studies of the Czechoslovak Population in 1985. Other comparisons and evaluations were based on differences of JIA types, corticosteroids administration, age at the onset of the disease and disease duration. We found slightly decreased values of body height, body weight, right and left foot, left wrist circumference and BMI with respect to mean z-scores. Student´s t-test showed significant difference in 63% of somatic parameters between patients treated with corticoids and those treated with other non-steroid drugs. Negative influence of cumulative dosing and long administration of different corticoids was found in systemic type of JIA treated with methylprednisolon.