ARTHRITIS IN CHILDREN

In today's guest column, reputed Pediatric Rheumatologist, Dr Sujata Sawhney addresses Arthritis in Children.

- DR ANUPAM SIBAL AND DR SUJATA SAWHNEY

My 7-year-old has been diagnosed with arthritis. I am struggling to get credible information about this condition. Please help.

Most people associate arthritis with older adults, but children can develop arthritis, too. The word 'arthritis' comes from the Greek words arthros (joint) and itis (inflammation), meaning inflammation or swelling of a joint.

This can cause pain, stiffness, and restricted movement — sometimes mild, sometimes severe.

There are many reasons why a child's joint may swell. These include infections, injuries, bleeding into the joint, tumours, structural problems, or inflammation caused by the immune system itself. Among these, inflammatory arthritis is unique because the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. This leads to swelling, pain, and early morning stiffness.

In adults, this condition is called rheumatoid arthritis, while in children,

MOST CASES OF ARTHRITIS IN CHILDREN DEVELOP GRADUALLY, WITH INDICATORS SUCH AS STIFFNESS IN THE MORNING, VISIBLE JOINT SWELLING, LIMPING OR TIRING EASILY