When Joint pain in Children is Not just growing pains: How to recognize JIA early
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, the learners should be able to:
- Identify red flags for inflammatory arthritis and common clinical presentations
- Differentiate inflammatory, mechanical, and centralized pain
- Recognize JIA subtypes and their key clinical manifestations
- Apply evidence-based referral thresholds
Intended Audience:
This online course is designed for pediatricians, family physicians, and pediatric rheumatologists.
Abstract:
This online course provides an overview of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children and adolescents. The session focuses on early recognition of inflammatory arthritis, differentiation from common non-inflammatory pain conditions, and timely referral to pediatric rheumatology. Participants will review the major JIA subtypes, their clinical presentations, associated complications such as uveitis and growth disturbances, and the role of laboratory studies and imaging in evaluation. The course also discusses current treatment approaches, multidisciplinary care, and important adolescent health considerations including medication adherence, psychosocial impact, and transition to self-management. Through practical clinical examples, the course highlights the importance of early diagnosis and coordinated care to improve long-term outcomes for children and adolescents living with JIA.
Assessment and Earning CME Credit:
This course in English is not CME-accredited. However, it provides valuable educational content that can enhance your knowledge and skills in the subject matter. To receive CME credit for this course in Armenia, you must take the course in Armenian and complete the post-course quiz. You have three chances to achieve a passing score of 70%. Once you pass the quiz, we will send your information to the Armenian Ministry of Health for credits.
Dr. Iris Reyhan
Dr. Iris Reyhan is an Assistant Fellowship Director in Rheumatology, an Attending Physician, and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She received her medical degree from the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Ruth & Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine in Israel. She completed her pediatric residency at Northwell Health’s Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York and her fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Reyhan is board-certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology by the American Board of Pediatrics. She has received multiple research awards during her training, including the Resident Research Award and recognition in Clinical Science Research at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, as well as the Fellows in Training Scholarship from the American College of Rheumatology.
