Arthritis in children

About 12,000 children in the UK under the age of 16 have a form of arthritis. Most kinds of childhood arthritis come under the general heading of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

JIA involves inflammation, pain and swelling in one or more joints for at least six weeks. You may hear it referred to as juvenile arthritis. The causes are unknown.

The most common forms of JIA

Oligo-articular JIA

Oligo-articular JIA is the most common kind of childhood arthritis and affects four or fewer joints in the body. A child with this sort of arthritis doesn’t usually become unwell – the problem is more or less limited to swollen, painful joints. But eye problems are quite common and specialist eye checks are needed.

This type of arthritis tends to affect large joints such as the knees, ankles and wrists and may result in pain and swelling of the joints.

The outlook for most children with oligo-articular juvenile arthritis is good. Although some children will develop joint damage, the majority get better and grow up to lead ordinary lives.

Polyarticular JIA

Polyarticular JIA is another kind of juvenile arthritis and affects many joints (more than five). It can start at any age from a few months onwards and usually spreads from one joint to another quite quickly – often within months. Sometimes children with polyarticular JIA are also generally unwell with a fever and perhaps a rash.

Systemic onset JIA

Systemic onset JIA is a type of arthritis that begins with systemic symptoms such as fever, rashes, lethargy and enlarged glands. Early signs are often mistaken for an infection. This form of the disease affects children of any age.

How is it treated?

Treatment for children with arthritis is usually much the same as for adults, but the problems which crop up in everyday life can be very different. Children with arthritis need to lead as ordinary and full a life as they can. Keeping school and social life going is extremely important, although there may be a need to find some alternative social activities.

Exercise is especially helpful and a lot of children with arthritis benefit enormously from swimming. But most of all, it is family support that helps a child with arthritis. Above all young people need to be part of their own age group and not to be seen as different.

Letting young people with arthritis develop their own independent coping skills is vital. It is all too easy for families to be over protective. Most young people can compete intellectually with their peers and develop relationships as they move towards adulthood.

Arthritis Care produces two booklets for parents of children with arthritis. It also runs a free confidential helpline for young people and their parents called The Source (Freephone 0808 808 2000; email: TheSource@Arthritiscare.org.uk), and a range of local services and activities for young people.