Methods: Children with active oligo or polyarticular course JIA, requiring therapy with an NSAID were eligible for this trial. Patients were randomly allocated to therapy with meloxicam oral suspension 0.125 mg/kg body weight in single daily dose, meloxicam 0.25 mg/kg body weight in single daily dose, or naproxen 10 mg/kg body weight in two daily doses. The trial drugs were administered in a double-blind, double-dummy design for up to 12 months. Response rates were determined according to the American College of Rheumatology Pediatric 30% definition of improvement (ACR Ped 30). Safety parameters were assessed by evaluation of the adverse events in the 3 groups.