Cerebral complications in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

A study of 170 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and a review of the literature indicate that this disease can significantly affect the central nervous system. Signs of CNS dysfunction were observed in 13 children. During the acute toxic stages the EEG is abnormal in many cases. Other manifestations of toxic encephalopathy such as irritability, drowsiness, stupor, convulsions and marked meningismus may be evident in severe cases. Meningitis is often suspected but ruled out by the finding of normal CSF. Steroids can rapidly improve the condition of these children. If ;unexplained' seizures occur during the chronic stage, the diagnosis of cerebral vasculitis should be entertained.