Approximately 1,000 children in Ireland have a form of arthritis. Most kinds of childhood arthritis come under the general heading of juvenile arthritis (JA), or juvenile idiopathic arthritis to give it its official title. JA involves inflammation, pain and swelling in one or more joints for at least six weeks. The causes are unknown.

You can find out more about the condition in our When a Child Has Arthritis or When a Teenager Has Arthritis information booklets.