What it means for these kids...

Children with JIA suffer with considerable pain and disability. Some get better with treatment and care. Unfortunately others need their joints replaced in their childhood and early adult life.

JIA does not just affect the joints, but can affect other organs including the eyes. This can lead to cataracts and blindness in early life. The most severe forms of JIA can be fatal. The disease is treated with powerful drugs that can have side effects. Both the disease and the drugs to treat the disease can have a considerable effect on a child or teenager’s ability to develop. This can be devastating.

This has considerable repercussions for their life as an adult and in particular their ability to form relationships, be independent and one day have their own family. Children may not be able to grow and participation in sport and recreation can be a real problem.

The strain on the family unit of many years of poor health, considerable disability and frequent hospital visits and can be shattering. Over one third of these young people will continue to have JIA into their adult life.