11 Children with chronic arthritis: the management of transition to adulthood

Idiopathic juvenile arthritis occurs throughout childhood; the young child needs a major paediatric input while the adolescent, at whatever age the disease started, will need help in achieving a satisfactory transfer to adulthood, perhaps using the ‘young adult team’. Throughout, an appropriate team of paediatrician, rheumatologist, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers is important in dealing with such young people and their families. They not only treat the disease but give information to parents and children that will aid the day-to-day management of the condition, and help maintain normal education (progressing to further and higher education) and training leading, hopefully, to an acceptable adult lifestyle.