Can children get rheumatic diseases?

In this special 50th episode, Debbie and Katy celebrate how far the podcast has come while shining a light on an often‑missed reality: children and young people do live with rheumatic and inflammatory diseases. Recorded on World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day, the episode blends lived experience with practical insight, from delayed diagnoses and complex referral pathways to the hidden admin burden families face when navigating paediatric rheumatology and the wider NHS system. They discuss the impact on siblings, the importance of being heard, and how empowering young people can transform their confidence and their experience of illness. Honest, relatable, and thought‑provoking, this episode is a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a whole person and a story worth hearing.

Key topics:

• WORD Day and raising awareness of paediatric rheumatic diseases

• Misconceptions around childhood joint pain and “growing pains”
• Tertiary centre is a highly specialized hospital providing advanced treatments for complex or rare conditions, typically requiring a referral from primary (i.e. GP) or secondary care (i.e. local hospitals)
• Delayed diagnosis and challenges in paediatric rheumatology pathways
• The hidden admin burden on patients and parents
• Impact on siblings and family life
• Parental wellbeing and avoiding burnout
• Using technology and AI to support disease management
• Empowering young people to speak up in healthcare settings
• Debbie’s visit to the House of Commons and meeting children with JIA
• Encouraging movement and sport for MSK and mental health
• Preview of next week’s guest, author Charlie Robards

Key words: juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA, WORD Day, paediatric rheumatology, childhood arthritis, young people rheumatic diseases, inflammatory arthritis podcast, NHS admin burden, chronic illness parenting, early diagnosis arthritis, rheumatology awareness, lived experience arthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis UKResources:

• WORD Day – World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day
• ARMA (Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance) – Movement policy paper
• National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) – Beneficiary of Charlie Robards’ book
• Previous episodes referenced:
• Episode 11 – Parenting a child with JIA
• Episode with 49 with Dr Keith Grimes

Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medical professionals. They share personal experiences of living with IA to build connection and community. The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.

For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/