Infliximab improves inflammation and anthropometric measures in pediatric Crohn's disease

Infliximab (IFX) is a monoclonal antibody licensed to treat medically refractory Crohn's disease (CD). Our aim was to elucidate the effects of IFX therapy on clinical, growth and serum parameters in children with CD in a single pediatric center in Sydney, Australia.

A retrospective case series review of children treated with IFX for CD at Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia was undertaken, with a review of outcomes after starting IFX. Main outcome measures were response and remission (as measured according to improvements in Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index scores and Physician Global Assessment), laboratory markers (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hemoglobin, white cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, platelets, albumin) and growth (Z scores).

The 16 patients included had a mean age at first infusion of 13.0 years (1.25-17.5 years). Six of 12 patients (with adequate data available) were in remission at 2 weeks following the first infusion. At 1 year, 10 of 12 patients (83%) were in remission. Mean C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate had fallen significantly (P < 0.05) at 2 weeks (from 29 to 7 mg/L and 40 to 19 mm/h, respectively). Positive trends were observed for all other parameters, excluding lymphocytes and white cell count. At 1 year, mean Z score for body mass index improved significantly from -0.9 to -0.1 (P < 0.01).

Disease activity subsides in most children treated with IFX for CD. IFX therapy also improves some growth parameters. The pattern of improvement requires further elucidation, as the results in the present study suggest differing dosing frequency of infusion may achieve better efficacy.