Estimates Childhood Arthritis

According to the Arthritis Foundation, juvenile arthritis (JA) refers to any form of arthritis or an arthritis-related condition that develops in children or teenagers who are less than 18 years of age. In 2007, CDC estimated that 294,000 U.S. children under age 18 (or 1 in 250 children) have been diagnosed with arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. In addition to providing national estimates, CDC also calculated prevalence estimates for each state. Childhood arthritis-related diagnoses range from a low of 500 children in Wyoming to a high of 38,000 children in California. In addition, children diagnosed with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions account for approximately 827,000 doctor visits each year, including an average of 83,000 emergency department room visits. Further information on the pediatric arthritis surveillance is available.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting children. Like adults, children can also get other rheumatic conditions such as lupus, fibromyalgia and scleroderma. Pediatric rheumatologists are the specialists that diagnose and treat children with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. To find a rheumatologist, use the American College of Rheumatology Geographic Membership Directory.

Data Source:

Sacks JJ, Helmick CG, Luo YH, Ilowite NT, Bowyer S. Prevalence of and annual ambulatory health care visits for pediatric arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions in the United States in 2001–2004. Arthritis Care Res 2007;57(8):1439–1445. abstract

More Information

• Childhood Arthritis-Overview
• Estimating Population Prevalence of Childhood Arthritis
• Synthetic state-specific prevalence estimates of pediatric arthritis, 2001-2004
• ICD-9-CM Code specific proportion of prevalence and ambulatory care visits
• Potential addition to estimated prevalence and outpatient visits from selected pediatric conditions
• Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA)
• Arthritis Foundation
• American College of Rheumatology
• Juvenile Arthritis Alliance