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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Inflammatory bowel disease in African American children compared with other racial/ethnic groups in a multicenter
Jolanda M White1, Siobhán O'Connor, Harland S Winter
1Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Insights
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in African American children often presents as Crohn's disease at older ages. Further research is needed to understand these racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric IBD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Limited epidemiologic data exists on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in non-Caucasian populations.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap by comparing IBD characteristics between African American and non-African American children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical presentation and diagnostic features of IBD in African American versus non-African American children.
- To identify potential racial/ethnic disparities in the epidemiology of pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from a multicenter pediatric IBD registry (2000-2003).
- Inclusion criteria: children aged 1-17 years with endoscopic and pathology-confirmed IBD diagnosis.
- Comparison of diagnostic classifications, age at diagnosis, extraintestinal manifestations, growth parameters, treatment, disease location, and laboratory markers between racial groups.
Main Results:
- African American children (10% of 1406 patients) were more likely to be diagnosed with IBD at older ages (>12 years) and present with Crohn's disease.
- Significant differences observed in age at diagnosis (OR 1.82), symptom onset (OR 1.99), Crohn's disease prevalence (OR 2.36), and low hemoglobin levels (OR 3.15) in African Americans.
- African American children had higher odds of having Crohn's disease and low hemoglobin levels at diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric IBD in African American children is more frequently Crohn's disease and diagnosed at older ages compared to non-African Americans.
- Racial and ethnic differences in IBD epidemiology among American youth warrant further investigation.
- Understanding these disparities is crucial for targeted diagnosis and management of pediatric IBD.
Background & Aims:
Few epidemiologic investigations characterize inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in non-Caucasian children. Our study compared IBD characteristics between African Americans and non-African Americans enrolled in a multicenter pediatric IBD registry with endoscopic- and pathology-based diagnosis.
Methods:
The study retrieved data entered from January 2000 to October 2003 on children 1 to 17 years old, inclusive, followed by a consortium of academic and community US pediatric gastroenterology practices. Analyses examined racial/ethnic differences by comparing the proportions of African Americans and non-African Americans in the following categories: each diagnostic disease classification (any IBD, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis); age group (<6 y, 6-12 y, or >12 y) at diagnosis or symptom onset; presence of extraintestinal manifestations, Z-scores for height and weight, immunomodulatory therapy, anatomic disease location, and abnormal hemoglobin, albumin, or sedimentation rate at diagnosis.
Results:
A total of 1406 patients had complete data, 138 (10%) of whom were African American. African Americans more often were older than 12 years of age at diagnosis (52% vs 37%; odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.28-2.59) and symptom onset (46% vs 30%; OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.40-2.84); had Crohn's disease (78% vs 59%; OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.56-3.58); and had a low hemoglobin level at diagnosis (39% vs 17%; OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.92-5.17).
Conclusions:
IBD in African American children and adolescents presents more commonly with Crohn's disease and at older ages compared with non-African Americans. Racial/ethnic differences in the epidemiology of IBD, particularly Crohn's disease, among American youths require further investigation.
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