Abstract

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the most common chronic autoimmune rheumatic diseases in the pediatric population, characterized by chronic inflammation affecting one or more joints for at least six weeks in children aged 16 years or younger. Nutrition is a fundamental determinant of growth and development in children and adolescents, and nutritional management in patients with JIA requires particular attention because of the disease’s early onset, complexity, and the potential adverse effects of pharmacological treatment. Various nutrition-related problems may occur in patients with JIA, including oral and gastrointestinal complications that restrict dietary intake, nutrient deficiencies, growth retardation, malnutrition, dyslipidemia, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and impaired bone health. Considering both the effects of JIA on nutritional status and the potential influence of nutrition on JIA, a bidirectional relationship exists between nutritional status and the clinical course of the disease. Current evidence suggests that different dietary patterns may have beneficial effects on JIA; however, the available evidence remains limited and inconsistent. In particular, randomized controlled intervention studies with adequate sample sizes and long-term follow-up evaluating the effectiveness of different dietary patterns and nutritional supplements are needed to address existing knowledge gaps. High-quality evidence from future studies will be essential to develop JIA-specific nutritional recommendations and to support clinicians in providing more effective multidisciplinary management for patients with JIA.