Childhood Arthritis vs. Growing Pains: Identify Early, Prevent Joint Damage

• Childhood arthritis (juvenile arthritis) is a chronic condition causing joint inflammation, pain, and swelling, significantly impacting a child's mobility and growth.
• Symptoms vary but can include joint swelling, stiffness, fatigue, fever, rashes, and difficulty with daily activities like walking or dressing.
• The exact cause is unknown, but it's believed to stem from an immune system malfunction attacking healthy joint tissue.
• Diagnosis requires a specialist, ideally a paediatric rheumatologist, due to its variable presentation and similarity to other conditions.
• While there's no prevention, management involves medical care, tailored physical activities (e.g., swimming), and regular check-ups to reduce discomfort and maintain mobility.

Why It Matters: Recognizing childhood arthritis symptoms is crucial to prevent lasting joint damage.