Indore News: Doctors Call For Early Action Against Childhood Arthritis

**Indore Hosts 23rd National Conference on Paediatric Rheumatology to Raise Childhood Arthritis Awareness**

Indore, Madhya Pradesh: For the first time, the National Conference on Paediatric Rheumatology (NCPR) 2025 was held in Indore to spread awareness among doctors and the public about arthritis in children—a condition often overlooked due to lack of information.

The 23rd edition of this prestigious national conference saw the participation of over 250 doctors and experts from across India and abroad. The three-day event, which concluded on Sunday, ended with a resolution to launch government-supported awareness campaigns focusing on childhood arthritis.

**Low Awareness and Misdiagnosis**

Dr. Jyoti Sanghvi, Secretary of the conference, emphasized the urgent need to raise awareness. “The disease exists in our population, but awareness remains very low. Many children visit doctors repeatedly with joint pain and swelling, but due to misdiagnosis, treatment starts late. If childhood joint disease is not treated on time, it can lead to lifelong disability,” she explained.

**Shortage of Specialists**

Over 120 paediatric rheumatologists and paediatricians took part in the conference. Dr. Anand P Rao from Bengaluru highlighted a critical issue: India faces a severe shortage of paediatric rheumatologists. “Both parents and doctors need to be aware of this disease so children can receive timely treatment and live pain-free childhoods. Currently, Madhya Pradesh has only one specialist, and Chhattisgarh has none,” he said.

**Childhood Arthritis Can Affect Even Infants**

Experts pointed out that arthritis is not just an ailment of the elderly—infants and young children can also be affected. Continuous fever lasting more than six weeks and unresponsiveness to antibiotics may indicate childhood arthritis.

“Parents often consult multiple doctors when their child doesn’t improve, unaware that arthritis could be the underlying cause,” said Dr. Deepti Suri, Chairperson of the Paediatric Rheumatology Society.

**Symptoms Parents Should Not Ignore:**

– Persistent fever without a clear cause
– Swelling and pain in joints
– Repeated redness or irritation in eyes
– Skin rashes or red patches
– Hair loss and skin allergies
– Fatigue and irritability

Raising awareness and early diagnosis can make a significant difference in managing childhood arthritis and preventing long-term disability.

*Story by Staff Reporter*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-news-doctors-call-for-early-action-against-childhood-arthritis

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