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Epidemiology of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases in southern iran
Seyed Mohsen Dehghani1, Asma Erjaee2, Laleh Abolfathi3
1Associate Professor, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Insights
This study analyzed pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in Southern Iran, finding ulcerative colitis more common than Crohn's disease. It offers crucial epidemiological data for this underrepresented region.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research
Background:
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) exhibit significant global incidence and prevalence variations.
- Existing epidemiological data predominantly originates from North America and Europe.
- Iranian studies primarily focus on adult populations in the northern regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in Southern Iran.
- To describe clinical manifestations and colonoscopic findings in pediatric IBD patients.
- To contribute data from an underrepresented geographic area.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 37 pediatric patients (≤18 years) diagnosed with IBD.
- Data collection included clinical symptoms and colonoscopic findings.
- Study period spanned from 2001 to 2007 at Nemazee Hospital.
Main Results:
- Prevalence: 26 (70%) ulcerative colitis (UC), 9 (25%) Crohn's disease (CD), 2 (5%) indeterminate colitis (IC).
- Common UC symptoms: bloody stools (84.6%) and pallor (80.8%).
- Common CD symptoms: growth failure (88.9%) and pallor (77.8%).
- Colonoscopic findings: erythema in UC (80%), ulcers in CD (71.4%).
Conclusions:
- This study presents essential epidemiological data on pediatric IBD in Southern Iran.
- Highlights differences in common symptoms between UC and CD in this pediatric cohort.
- Addresses a gap in research concerning pediatric IBD in this specific region.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND There are great variations in the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) among different populations. Epidemiologic studies mainly come from North America and Europe. Studies from Iran are mostly data on the adult population from the northern region of the country. METHODS Medical records of 37 pediatric patients (≤ 18 years of age) admitted in the Pediatric Gastroenterology Ward at Nemazee Hospital, from 2001 through 2007 with final diagnoses of IBD were reviewed regarding data such as clinical manifestations and colonoscopic findings. RESULTS There were 19 boys (52%) and 18 girls (48%) with a mean age of 10.3±4.9 years (range: 2-17 years). Of these, 26 (70%) had ulcerative colitis (UC), 9 (25%) were diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD), and 2 (5%) were labeled as indeterminate colitis (IC). Bloody stools (84.6%) and pallor (80.8%) were the most common features in UC whereas growth failure (88.9%) followed by pallor (77.8%) were the most frequent symptoms in patients with CD. The most frequent colonoscopic findings in UC and CD were erythema (80%) and ulcer (71.4%) respectively. CONCLUSION This study provides available epidemiologic data on pediatric patients with IBD from Southern Iran.
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