What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to evaluate the safety of methotrexate therapy in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, focusing on pulmonary and liver outcomes.

March 26, 2026Open Access

Methotrexate Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: No Clinically Relevant Pulmonary Impairment but Frequent Transient Liver Enzyme Elevations in a Longitudinal Single‐Center Pediatric Cohort of 274 Children Over 30 Years

Key Points

The research aims to evaluate the safety of methotrexate therapy in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, focusing on pulmonary and liver outcomes.
Longitudinal cohort study design
Involvement of 274 children treated over 30 years
Regular monitoring of pulmonary function and liver enzymes
Analysis of dosage adjustments and discontinuations
No clinically relevant pulmonary impairment observed
Frequent but transient liver enzyme elevations noted
Dose adjustments or treatment discontinuations occurred, yet no long-term complications were reported

Abstract

In children with JIA, long-term treatment with MTX appears to be safe regarding the pulmonary outcome. Hepatic involvement was frequent but transient, occasionally requiring dose adjustment or discontinuation without long-term complications.

Methotrexate Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: No Clinically Relevant Pulmonary Impairment but Frequent Transient Liver Enzyme Elevations in a Longitudinal Single‐Center Pediatric Cohort of 274 Children Over 30 Years

Key Points

Abstract

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