Home › About Arthritis › Children & Arthritis

Children & Arthritis

Arthritis is commonly thought of as a condition that only affects older people. However, there are many different types of arthritis, some of which affect babies, children, teenagers and young adults.  Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the name given to a number of types of arthritis that occur in children.

In Australia about 6000 children are affected by arthritis (JIA) making it as common as Type 1 diabetes in children under 16 years of age. Another 4,000 children are affected by other rheumatic conditions (conditions which affect the joints, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and muscles).

Living with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions can be challenging not only for the child or young person affected, but also for their families and friends. Support is vital, as is understanding.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (children)

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the name given to a number of types of arthritis that occur in children. We do know that JIA is an autoimmune condition. This means the body’s immune system (its protective mechanism against infection) starts to mistakenly attack healthy cells of the body.

For more information, download the information sheet Juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Growing pains / Benign nocturnal limb pains (children)

Growing pains are common and affect otherwise healthy children. The pains usually start in the preschool years. Growing pains are often difficult to pinpoint, but are usually in the legs.

For more information, download the information sheet Growing Pains.

Hypermobility syndromes (children)

We are at our most flexible as babies and become less flexible with age. Many children are hypermobile (“double jointed”) in one or more joints. When this affects many joints, and is associated with pain, it is called a hypermobility syndrome.

For more information, download the information sheet Hypermobility Syndromes.