Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Call GI Care for Kids in the Greater Atlanta area at (404) 257-0799
Overview
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the most common, chronic pediatric GI condition we take care of in pediatric gastroenterology. It is made up of two main diagnoses, Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Both conditions are commonly diagnosed in pediatrics and require treatment to help symptoms improve.
The most common symptoms of IBD are diarrhea and abdominal pain, but can also include vomiting, blood in the stool, mouth sores, and joint pain. Some kids with IBD do not grow as expected and may be thinner than expected for their height or not grow in height compared to other kids their age.
Diagnosis of IBD can only be made through a pediatric gastroenterologist and includes labs, imaging, and endoscopy. Once a patient is diagnosed, a treatment regimen can be chosen with the goal of complete tissue healing of the affected parts of the GI tract. New treatments and approaches to care for kids with IBD, as well as involvement with ImproveCareNow, have led to dramatic improvement in how well kids with IBD are doing at our center and across the world.
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of illnesses characterized by swelling, redness, and inflammatory changes of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD typically lasts a lifetime and is a medical condition that must be managed over time. IBD is not to be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which was historically known as spastic colon.
IBD is divided into two categories: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Although there may be overlapping features, the two types of IBD have important differences. Ulcerative colitis often causes abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. It affects either a portion of the colon or the entire colon. In some individuals, IBD causes problems outside of the gastrointestinal tract, including arthritis (joint swelling), skin diseases, and liver problems.
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but most frequently results in inflammation of the ileum (the final part of the small intestine) along with portions of the colon. Individuals with Crohn’s disease may also have inflammation in the area around the anus. Frequent signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease in children include abdominal pain, weight loss, growth concerns, delayed puberty, anemia, and mouth sores. Many children with Crohn’s disease are diagnosed after having symptoms for a long time because Crohn’s disease can cause gradual changes in a person’s health. Because Crohn’s disease often involves the small intestine, it is much more likely to involve growth issues.
How is IBD Diagnosed?
Unfortunately, there is no single, simple test to diagnose IBD. A consultation with a gastrointestinal specialist is important early on in the course of the illness.
Many diseases can be confused with both types of IBD, which is why diagnostic testing is used to diagnose the conditions. Diagnosis usually involves an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy along with bloodwork and stool tests. Additional X-ray studies or a pill camera may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis and monitoring the course of the disease.
If you are worried that your child has IBD, please make sure to bring all of your child’s growth records and previous evaluations to your first visit at GI Care for Kids. Together, we can determine if IBD is present and the optimal treatment approach for your child.
IBD Treatment Options
Examples of IBD treatments include: steroids (short-term treatment), diet (exclusive enteral nutrition, specific carbohydrate diet), mesalamines, antibiotics, immunomodulators (methotrexate or thiopurines like 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine), biologics (Remicade, Humira, Entyvio, Stelara, and others), and surgery. Treatment of related problems – such as anemia, poor growth, nausea, low vitamin D, gastritis, and emotional problems – may also be necessary.
Mucosal healing has become an important issue to discuss. The goal here is to have your child feel better as well as allow healing of the intestines to occur, when possible. This often means running tests to see how well the treatment is working.
More info about IBD in children
Helpful information about inflammatory bowel disease can also be found here:
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
- GI Care for Kids resources for IBD therapies, management, and more:
- IBD Personal Notebook
- Methotrexate
- Remicade and remicade.com
- Steroids
- Thiopurines (6-MP or Azathioprine/Imuran)
- Helpful IBD links
- IBD Nutrition Guide Brochure by GI Kids, the patient education arm of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN)
- Nutrition4IBD
- Nutrition4kids.com is a resource for parents who want to feed their kids well, regardless of medical challenges or allergies. Subscribe for updates personalized for you and your child.
- Pediatric IBD Foundation, with articles contributed by GI Care for Kids healthcare providers
- Self-management handbook for patients & families with IBD, by Nationwide Children’s Hospital & Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Webinars for the newly diagnosed, by GI Care for Kids and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Ask GI Care for Kids for more information.)
- Your Child with IBD: a Family Guide for Caregiving, a book available for sale on Amazon
Video: Understanding Risks and Benefits of IBD Therapy
Children’s Nutritionist in the Greater Atlanta area
Discover more about pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – including both Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Call GI Care for Kids in the Greater Atlanta area at (404) 257-0799 or request your appointment now.