Bengaluru:Arthritis, a condition commonly associated with older adults, is increasingly being diagnosed in children as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) , an autoimmune disease that causes persistent joint inflammation and can affect a child's growth and overall health.
Medical experts have urged parents not to dismiss persistent joint pain, limping or stiffness as “growing pains”, warning that delayed diagnosis could lead to long-term complications, including vision loss.
Warning signs parents should not ignore
According to Dr Santhan Reddy, Consultant, Department of Orthopaedics, JIA refers to a group of autoimmune inflammatory conditions that develop in children under the age of 16.
He explained that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joints, causing chronic inflammation that may damage growing bones and growth plates. Unlike osteoarthritis seen in adults, JIA can also affect the eyes and other internal organs.
Doctors say morning stiffness is one of the most important warning signs. Children who struggle to get out of bed, limp after waking up, or have swollen, warm and painful joints should undergo medical evaluation. Persistent fever, fatigue and a salmon-pink rash may also indicate the condition.
Modern treatments improving outcomes
Experts say treatment for JIA has advanced significantly in recent years. While conventional treatment included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biological therapies are now helping children with moderate to severe disease achieve better outcomes.
Dr Deepak G. Shivarathre, Director of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, said these targeted therapies reduce joint damage, improve mobility and help many children achieve long-term remission.
Risk of vision loss
Doctors also warned that nearly 20% of children with JIA may develop uveitis, an inflammation of the eye that often progresses without obvious symptoms.
According to Dr Chandrika S. Bhat, Consultant in Paediatric Rheumatology, delayed diagnosis of uveitis can result in cataracts, glaucoma, retinal damage and permanent vision loss.
Medical experts also highlighted the need for a national registry for autoimmune diseases, saying better data would improve research, patient follow-up and access to advanced treatment.
Doctors urged parents to seek medical advice if a child experiences persistent joint pain or stiffness, emphasising that early diagnosis remains the key to preventing lifelong disability. #JuvenileArthritis #ChildHealth #Arthritis #Healthcare #Bengaluru #MedicalNews #NewsKarnataka