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Crohn's disease in a child: unusual presentation with severe osteoporosis

Ricardo Ferreira1, Susana Almeida

  • 1Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Pediatrico, Av. Bissaya Barreto, 3000 Coimbra, Portugal.

Biodrugs : Clinical Immunotherapeutics, Biopharmaceuticals and Gene Therapy
|December 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric Crohn's disease can present with severe osteoporosis. Infliximab therapy effectively controlled the disease and improved bone metabolism in a young patient.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
  • Bone Metabolism Studies

Background:

  • Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Paediatric-onset Crohn's disease often presents with gastrointestinal symptoms, but can also manifest as growth and bone abnormalities.
  • Severe osteoporosis is a potential, though less common, presenting sign in pediatric Crohn's disease.

Observation:

  • A 13-year-old girl was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 11.
  • She presented with severe osteoporosis at diagnosis, alongside typical gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • The patient received infliximab therapy for one year, achieving complete disease control.

Findings:

  • Infliximab therapy demonstrated a positive influence on bone metabolism, affecting both bone formation and resorption.
  • This improvement in bone health appeared independent of the drug's clinical efficacy in managing Crohn's disease symptoms.
  • The study highlights a potential dual benefit of infliximab in pediatric Crohn's disease.

Implications:

  • Infliximab offers a valuable therapeutic option for pediatric Crohn's disease, particularly given its recent approval for this age group.
  • The findings suggest infliximab may have direct positive effects on bone health in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease.
  • Early recognition and management of bone complications are crucial in pediatric Crohn's disease.

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