Colitis in the adolescent population: management in the emergency department

Colitis presents as an inflammatory diarrhea that is often accompanied by abdominal pain. The differential diagnosis of colitis is broad and depends on the presenting symptoms and age of the patient. Although infectious colitis in an immunocompetent child is often self-limited, complications of colitis can be serious, and early recognition can expedite critical medical interventions and surgical consultation. This issue provides an evidence-based approach to the evaluation and management of colitis and associated acute complications in adolescent patients in the emergency department.