Beyond Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Recognizing Genetic Arthropathies in Children

Childhood arthropathies are a diverse group of conditions affecting the joints and periarticular structures. While inflammatory arthritis is driven by immune dysregulation, non-inflammatory arthropathy results from structural or metabolic abnormalities. A substantial proportion of these disorders is secondary to genetic defects. Recent advances in molecular genetics have expanded the understanding of these conditions, making accurate nomenclature and classification increasingly important. Early recognition and precise genetic diagnosis are essential for providing appropriate genetic counseling, guiding management, minimizing long-term complications, and improving outcomes. This review summarizes the distinguishing features of genetic inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthropathies and proposes a practical framework for their classification.