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Pediatric ulcerative colitis: current treatment approaches including role of infliximab

Gia M Bradley1, Maria Oliva-Hemker

  • 1Division of Pediatric, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Biologics : Targets & Therapy
|June 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric ulcerative colitis impacts growth and development. This review covers traditional treatments and newer biologic therapies, focusing on anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents for disease management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
  • Pharmacotherapeutics

Background:

  • Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease impacting children's growth, nutrition, and psychosocial well-being.
  • Current treatments for pediatric UC aim for remission but require careful risk-benefit assessment.
  • Advancements in understanding UC etiology have led to novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review established and emerging treatments for pediatric ulcerative colitis.
  • To highlight the role of biologic therapies, specifically anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents.
  • To provide a focused discussion on managing UC in the pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of classical and biologic therapies for pediatric ulcerative colitis.
  • Analysis of treatment efficacy and safety profiles.
  • Focus on anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents as a key therapeutic class.

Main Results:

  • Classical treatments include 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, thiopurine immunomodulators, and calcineurin inhibitors.
  • Biologic therapies, such as anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents, represent a significant advancement.
  • Risk-benefit analysis is crucial for all treatments in pediatric UC.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of pediatric ulcerative colitis requires a comprehensive approach.
  • Biologic therapies offer promising alternatives for inducing and maintaining remission.
  • Further research into long-term outcomes and safety of newer agents is warranted.

Keywords:
5-aminosalicylatesanti-tumor necrosis factor-α agentscorticosteroidscyclosporineinflammatory bowel diseasethiopurine immunomodulators

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