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Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Clinical features, morbidity and mortality of Scottish children with inflammatory bowel disease
1Gastro-Intestinal Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, presents significant morbidity in young patients. Early diagnosis and comprehensive management are crucial for improving long-term outcomes in children and teenagers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Research
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects a growing number of children and adolescents.
- Understanding the specific characteristics of IBD in young populations is essential for effective management.
- Previous studies have often focused on adult populations, leaving gaps in knowledge regarding pediatric IBD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the features, morbidity, and mortality of pediatric Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- To analyze diagnostic delays and treatment outcomes in a large cohort of young IBD patients.
- To establish baseline data for unselected cohorts of young patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of Scottish hospital in-patient data (1968-1983) for 1257 children and teenagers with IBD.
- Detailed examination of case records for patients with symptom onset at or before age 16.
- Assessment of diagnostic delay, disease distribution, inpatient utilization, growth parameters, and treatment interventions.
Main Results:
- Median diagnostic delay was under six months.
- Crohn's disease distribution mirrored adult patterns; extensive colitis was common in ulcerative colitis.
- Significant morbidity observed, with substantial inpatient days and high rates of corticosteroid and surgical treatment.
- Growth impairment noted in some young children with Crohn's disease at diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease carries substantial morbidity, necessitating prompt diagnosis and intervention.
- Surgical treatment and permanent stomas are common even after corticosteroid therapy.
- While mortality is low, the long-term impact on growth and quality of life requires ongoing attention.
Abstract:
From the Scottish Hospitals in-patients statistics for the years 1968-1983 all children and teenagers (a total of 1257) admitted to a National Health Service hospital with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis were identified. Case records of samples of patients with onset of symptoms at or before age 16 years were examined to establish the features, morbidity and mortality of unselected cohorts of young patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Median delay in diagnosis was less than six months. Anatomical distribution for Crohn's disease was similar to that in adults (small bowel 30 per cent; large bowel 28 per cent; small and large bowel 38 per cent) and almost half the patients with ulcerative colitis had extensive colitis. The morbidity was substantial in both. In-patient days for Crohn's disease ranged from seven to 322, median 64 days and for ulcerative colitis one to 275, median 30 days. At diagnosis, 11 of 40 young children with Crohn's disease but none of 14 with ulcerative colitis, were below the third centile for height. Despite treatment with corticosteroids 72 per cent of patients with Crohn's disease and 30 per cent of patients with ulcerative colitis required surgical treatment. Seventeen per cent have a permanent stoma. There were only six deaths, all before 1978.
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