Key Points
- A role for environmental factors in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and other pediatric systemic autoimmune diseases is emerging.
- Early life infections and antimicrobial use are risk factors for JIA.
- Premature or post-term birth, fewer siblings in the family, air pollution, infection and ultraviolet light may be risk factors for JIA and other pediatric systemic autoimmune diseases, but further studies are needed.