Everyday People Matter

Higher Chronic Disease Risk for Children of Mothers with Rheumatoid Arthritis

| May 21, 2018 | Rheumatoid Arthritis

Children born to mothers who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may have a much higher risk of suffering from chronic diseases. That information comes from a new study which found that fetuses that are exposed to symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis while still in the womb, may have a higher risk of developing a high sensitivity to certain chronic conditions.

In a study recently published by the Arthritis Care and Research Journal, researchers reviewed 2100 Danish children born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis between 1989 and 2013. The study found that children of mothers who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis during their pregnancy were at a higher risk of chronic disease compared to children of mothers who did not suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers focused on 15 kinds of diseases, including epilepsy, asthma, and other diseases that are chronic in nature.  The most severe risks seemed to involve chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, thyroid conditions, asthma, and anxiety.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis typically begin in the joints, and spread around the body. A person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis may suffer from inflammation, swelling and pain in the knees, hips, joints, feet, shoulders and hands. Other symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, tiredness, and fevers. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may find that their joints become deformed over a period of time.

Your ability to qualify for Social Security disability benefits for rheumatoid arthritis will depend on your ability to prove that your condition places significant limitations on your ability to earn an income. In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis may meet a Medical Listing, The Social Security Administration “blue book” which outlines very specific criteria that must be met for the approval of claims related to rheumatoid arthritis.

If you or a loved one suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, speak to Atlanta Social Security disability lawyer Lisa Siegel and understand if you have legal rights to a claim.