Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Published on: October 14, 2025
Akshay Kapoor1, Vidyut Bhatia, Anupam Sibal
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Apollo Centre for Advanced Pediatrics, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Akshay Kapoor, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, India. akshaydr80@yahoo.co.in.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising globally, impacting growth and quality of life. Current guidelines, adapted from adult data, are evolving with new treatments to focus on healing and normal development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
- Clinical Guidelines
Background:
- Increasing global incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children.
- Limited high-quality scientific data specific to pediatric IBD.
- Adaptation of adult guidelines for pediatric diagnosis and treatment due to small patient cohorts and limited multicentric trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and amalgamate principles for diagnosing and managing pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
- To address the paucity of specific scientific data and guidelines for pediatric IBD.
- To provide a comprehensive overview for clinicians managing children with suspected IBD.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search using electronic databases (PubMed, OVID).
- Inclusion of keywords: pediatric, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, epidemiology, and guidelines.
- Synthesis of existing knowledge on diagnosis and management principles.
Main Results:
- Children and young adolescents constitute 25% of all IBD patients.
- Key concerns include impact on growth velocity, puberty, and psychosocial well-being.
- Treatment strategies are evolving with increased therapeutic options.
Conclusions:
- Emphasis on achieving mucosal healing and normalizing growth velocity.
- Minimizing drug toxicity is a primary treatment goal.
- Ongoing redefinition of treatment guidelines for pediatric IBD is necessary.
Background:
The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing in the pediatric population worldwide.
Need And Purpose Of Review:
There is paucity of high quality scientific data regarding pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Most of the guidelines are offshoots of work done in adults, which have been adapted over time to diagnose and treat pediatric patients. This is in part related to the small numbers in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and less extensive collaboration for multicentric trials both nationally and internationally.
Methods:
A literature search was performed using electronic databases i.e. Pubmed and OVID, using keywords: pediatric, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohns disease, Ulcerative colitis, epidemiology and guidelines. This article amalgamates the broad principles of diagnosing and managing a child with suspected inflammatory bowel disease.
Main Conclusions:
25% of the patients with inflammatory bowel disease are children and and young adolescents. The primary concern is its impact on growth velocity, puberty and quality of life, including psychosocial issues. Treatment guidelines are being re-defined as the drug armamentarium is increasing. The emphasis will be to achieve mucosal healing and normal growth velocity with minimal drug toxicity.
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