[Infliximab as rescue therapy in severe steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis]
J Martín de Carpi1, P Vilar Escrigas, V Varea Calderón
1Sección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. javiermartin@hsjdbcn.org
Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Paediatric ulcerative colitis is often severe and steroid-resistant. Infliximab effectively induced remission in a severe case, avoiding colectomy and offering a promising treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
- Clinical Immunology
Background:
- Paediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) presents with greater severity and extent compared to adult cases.
- High rates of steroid-resistance in children lead to frequent colectomies.
- Current rescue therapies like Cyclosporine A have limited long-term efficacy and significant toxicity.
Observation:
- A case of severe, steroid-resistant ulcerative colitis in a pediatric patient is presented.
- The patient experienced an acute, debilitating attack requiring intensive management.
- Previous treatments had failed to induce sustained remission or prevent disease progression.
Findings:
- Infliximab administration resulted in the induction of a maintained remission.
- The patient successfully avoided the need for a colectomy following infliximab treatment.
- This indicates infliximab's potential as an effective therapeutic agent in severe paediatric UC.
Implications:
- Infliximab offers a viable alternative for managing severe, steroid-resistant paediatric ulcerative colitis.
- This case highlights the potential of biologic therapies to improve outcomes and avoid surgery in pediatric IBD.
- Further research into infliximab's long-term safety and efficacy in this population is warranted.
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