Inflammatory bowel disease in children: Indian perspective

S Mehta1

  • 1Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh.

Insights

Inflammatory bowel disease, specifically ulcerative colitis, affects 5% of children with colonic disorders in India. Early diagnosis and differentiation from infections are crucial for effective pediatric inflammatory bowel disease management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Colorectal Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Indian children remains largely uncharacterized.
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology at PGIMER, Chandigarh, observes various colonic disorders in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) in children admitted for colonic disorders at PGIMER, Chandigarh.
  • To highlight diagnostic challenges and differential diagnoses for pediatric UC in India.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of children admitted for colonic disorders.
  • Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis confirmed via sigmoidoscopy, rectal biopsy, and double contrast barium enema.

Main Results:

  • Out of 294 children with colonic disorders, 15 (5%) were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
  • Common infectious colitis (bacillary dysentery, amoebic colitis, antibiotic-induced colitis) and tuberculous colitis were key differentials.

Conclusions:

  • Ulcerative colitis represents a significant proportion of pediatric colonic disorders in this Indian cohort.
  • Clinical suspicion of IBD is vital in children with refractory or unusual colitis presentations unresponsive to standard treatments.

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