Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Understanding JIA from Preconception to Motherhood

Disclaimer: This page houses important information and resources pertaining to juvenile idiopathic arthritis during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, including links to our evidence-based Fact Sheets. However, the resources here should not replace the care and advice of a medical professional.

Reference: Oberle EJ et al., 2014

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis that is diagnosed in childhood before age 16. It is an autoimmune condition that can cause pain and inflammation in the joints, including but not limited to hands, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. There is no cure for JIA, so people who are diagnosed in childhood will continue to have it into adulthood and their reproductive years. Also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), JIA affects about 1 in 1,000 people in the United States.

Studies of [people] with JIA have suggested an increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes, such as instrumental delivery, preterm birth, small for gestational age birth, and congenital malformations. However, the reasons for these complications remain unclear, and may be caused by the disease itself, the activity state of the disease and/or its treatment.

— Drechsel et al. Rheumatology 2020 Mar 1;59(3):603-612.

Please see our library of resources below on JIA during pregnancy and breastfeeding.