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Juvenile Arthritis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Immune System

Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is a condition causing joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness in children, which can impact growth and development if not managed early.

Overview

Juvenile arthritis (JA) is arthritis that occurs in children. It causes joint inflammation (swelling), pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. Joints are the places where two bones meet, such as the elbow or knee. While JA can affect any joint, it is more common in the knees, hands, and feet.

JA can affect a child's growth and development, and in some cases, it can also affect other organs. Finding JA early and starting treatment can help manage symptoms and reduce joint damage.

Types and Risk Factors

There are several forms of arthritis affecting children. The most common type of JA in children under age 16 is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). There are multiple types of JIA, and symptoms along with the number of joints affected help determine the specific type. Some types of JIA are more common in girls.

Causes

The exact cause of JA is unknown. Most types are autoimmune disorders. This means that the immune system, which normally helps the body fight infection, attacks the body's own tissues.

Symptoms

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of JA. The symptoms of most types include:

  • Joint pain
  • Swelling
  • Warmth
  • Stiffness

Your child may not complain of pain or stiffness, but one early sign of JA may be limping or clumsiness in the morning or after resting. Larger joints, such as the knee, may be swollen.

Certain types of JA can cause additional symptoms in some children, including:

  • High fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Rash
  • Growth problems
  • Eye inflammation

Symptoms can come and go. Some children have just one or two flare-ups, while others have symptoms that never go away.

Diagnosis

There is no single test for JA, so it can be hard to diagnose. A health care provider may use the following methods to diagnose the condition:

  • Ask about medical history and symptoms
  • Perform a physical exam
  • Order blood tests or imaging studies

Treatment & Management

A team of providers usually treats JA. Treatment will depend on the child's age, the type of JA, and the severity of the condition. Treatment can include medicines and physical therapy to help maintain movement and reduce swelling and pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Since young children may not be able to describe joint pain, look for behavioral and physical changes such as a new limp, reluctance to walk or run, or holding a limb in a specific position to avoid movement. You might also notice morning stiffness where the child is unusually stiff or slow to move after waking up or after a long period of rest, which improves as the day goes on. Can juvenile arthritis affect organs other than the joints?::Yes, certain types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, particularly systemic JIA, can cause inflammation in other parts of the body. This may lead to symptoms such as high spiking fevers, a salmon-colored rash that often appears with fever, swollen lymph nodes, and inflammation of the heart or lungs. Eye inflammation, known as uveitis, is another serious extra-articular complication that requires regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist. How does juvenile arthritis impact a child's physical growth and development?::Chronic inflammation and the use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can affect growth plates in the bones, potentially leading to shorter stature or limb length discrepancies. Additionally, joint damage and stiffness can limit physical activity, which may impact muscle strength and overall motor development. Early and consistent treatment is crucial to minimize these long-term effects on growth. Is juvenile arthritis contagious or caused by a viral infection?::No, juvenile arthritis is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another. It is primarily an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. While some forms of arthritis can be triggered by a preceding viral infection, the virus itself is not the direct cause of the chronic joint inflammation, and the child does not pose a risk of infecting others.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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