Description

Transient inflammatory process resulting in arthralgia and arthritis (especially affecting the hip), often precipitated by an exposure to an infectious agent

Epidemiology

• Any age at risk
• Most common in ages 3 to 8 years
• Males affected ~2 times more frequently

Risk Factors

Pathophysiology

Unclear

Etiology

Usually viral (especially upper respiratory but also enterovirus). Allergic and traumatic causes have been proposed as well.