Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

If your child has just been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, also called JIA, you both may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or even scared. You’re not alone. Many whānau feel this way at first.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a type of autoimmune arthritis that affects tamariki. It happens when the immune system, which normally protects the body from illness, starts attacking healthy joints by mistake. This can lead to inflammation, pain, and stiffness, and over time, if left untreated, it can cause lasting damage to joints, cartilage, and bones.

But with the right support, early diagnosis, and the right care plan, many children go on to live full and active lives.

There are several types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, each with slightly different symptoms:

• Oligoarthritis: affects four or fewer joints (often knees or ankles). This is the most common type of JIA
• Polyarthritis: affects five or more joints, often on both sides of the body, such as both knees or both wrists
• Systemic JIA: affects the whole body, including internal organs. It can cause high fevers and a rash
• Psoriatic arthritis: involves joint inflammation and a red, scaly rash often around the scalp, elbows, or ears
• Enthesitis-related arthritis: affects areas where tendons or ligaments attach to bones, like the heels or hips
• Undifferentiated arthritis: doesn’t fit clearly into one category of JIA but still involves joint inflammation

Symptoms can vary between tamariki and often come and go as "flares". Common signs to look out for include:

• Joint pain or stiffness, especially in the morning or after rest
• Swollen or tender joints
• Feeling tired more often than usual (fatigue)
• Ongoing fevers or skin rashes
• Blurry or irritated eyes
• Loss of appetite

A diagnosis is made when a child has had joint inflammation for at least six weeks, and other causes like injury or infection have been ruled out.

You’ll likely be referred to a paediatric rheumatologist, a doctor who specialises in children’s arthritis. Diagnosis might involve:

• A full health history and physical exam
• Blood tests to check for inflammation or specific markers
• Scans like X-rays, ultrasound or MRI to check the joints

There’s no cure for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but many tamariki go into remission, meaning they have little or no symptoms. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation, prevent joint damage, and support your child to live a full, active life.

The main goals of treatment are to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Control pain and fatigue
• Prevent joint damage
• Keep tamariki moving and active
• Improve the overall quality of life

Treatment plans can include disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs and biologics) to slow the disease, and anti-inflammatories and pain relief to manage symptoms

• Eating well, Mediterranean-style diets may help with inflammation
• Resting when needed, especially during flares
• Distraction and relaxation techniques like deep breathing, music, or drawing
• Supplements approved by your doctor

Dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, or missing out on activities can lead to children feeling frustrated, sad, and lonely. Reaching out for support can make a big difference.

It's important to connect with other tamariki who understand what it’s like to live with arthritis. To facilitate connecting with peers, we run a number of events and camps designed specifically for young people with arthritis and their whānau. These include:

• Teens Camp: – a weekend camp for youth aged 13 to 18 living with arthritis. It’s a chance to connect with others who are going through similar experiences, participate in fun activities, learn more about managing arthritis, and build confidence in a supportive environment
• Families Camp: – a weekend camp that brings families from around New Zealand together to connect, share stories, and access information and support, while children take part in ability-appropriate activities alongside peers who understand what they’re going through
• Day camps and local events: held throughout the year in different regions, these offer shorter, accessible opportunities for connection, learning, and support closer to home.

These programmes are about more than just arthritis - they're about building community and resilience, and making sure young people with arthritis feel seen, supported, and empowered.